Constructive Thinking Inventory (CTI)

Epstein, S., & Meier, P. (1989). Constructive thinking: A broad coping variable with specific components. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(2), 332-350. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.57.2.332

	Table of Contents
	Description
	History of Use
	References

Description:

Purpose		The CTI was designed to assess experiential information processing. The experiential system (as contrasted with the rational system) is pre-conscious, emotional, fast, and emphasizes imagery. The CTI was theoretically motivated by Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory (CEST; Epstein, 1973).
Questions		64 items using 5-point ratings (1 = completely false to 5 = completely true)
Sub-scales		1 global score (composite of all scales except Naive Optimism) and 7 sub-scales: Emotional Coping: 9 items Behavioral Coping: 12 items Categorical Thinking: 12 items Superstitious Thinking: 9 items Naive Optimism: 7 items Negative Thinking: 10 items Validity Scale: 5 items
Domain
Psychometrics
Sample items		I don't let little things bother me. (Emotional Coping) I am the kind of person who takes action rather than just thinks or complains about a situation. (Behavioral Coping) I tend to classify people as either for me or against me. (Categorical Thinking) I have found that talking about successes that I am looking forward to can keep them from happening. (Superstitious Thinking) I believe that people can accomplish anything they want to if they have enough willpower. (Naïve Optimism) I get so distressed when I notice that I am doing poorly in something that it makes me do worse. (Negative Thinking) I have never seen anyone with blue eyes. (Validity)

References:

Scale:

Epstein, S., & Meier, P. (1989). Constructive thinking: A broad coping variable with specific components. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(2), 332-350. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.57.2.332

Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory (CEST):

Epstein, S. (1973). The self-concept revisited or a theory of a theory. American Psychologist, 28(5), 404-416. doi: 10.1037/h0034679

Uses:

Bruine de Bruin, W., Parker, A. M., & Fischhoff, B. (2007). Individual differences in adult decision-making competence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(5), 938-956. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.92.5.938 (See Adult - Decision Making Competence and Decision Outcome Inventory)

Epstein, S., Pacini, R., Denes-Raj, V., & Heier, H. (1996). Individual differences in intuitive-experiential and analytical-rational thinking styles. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 71(2), 390-405. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.71.2.390 (See Rational-Experiential Inventory - 10 item & Rational-Experiential Inventory - 31 item)

Pacini, R., & Epstein, S. (1999). The relation of rational and experiential information processing styles to personality, basic beliefs, and the ratio-bias phenomenon. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(6), 972-987. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.76.6.972 (See Rational-Experiential Inventory - revised 40 item)

Parker, A. M., Bruine de Bruin, W., & Fischhoff, B. (2007). Maximizers versus satisficers: Decision-making styles, competence, and outcomes. Judgment and Decision Making, 2(6), 342-350. (Uses behavioral coping sub-scale. Also uses Adult - Decision Making Competence, Decision Outcome Inventory, General Decision Making Style, and Maximization Scale.)

Parker, A. M., & Fischhoff, B. (2005). Decision-making competence: External validation through an individual-differences approach. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 18(1), 1-27. doi: 10.1002/bdm.481 (See Youth - Decision Making Competence)

Rey, E., Ortega, M. M., Alonso, M. O. G., & Diaz-Rubio, M. (2009). Constructive thinking, rational intelligence and irritable bowel syndrome. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 15(25), 3106-3113. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.3106

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