Flinders Decision Making Questionnaire (DMQ)

Mann, L. (1982). Flinders Decision Making Questionnaire II. Unpublished Questionnaire. The Flinders University of South Australia.
Note: Mann et al.'s (1997) Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire has been recommended as a replacement for the DMQ. See also the Flinders Adolescent Decision Making Questionnaire.


 Table of Contents

Description

History of Use

References

Description:

Purpose
The DMQ was designed to assess how individuals approach decision situations. It distinguishes between 3 approaches to decisions.
  • Vigilance involves a careful, unbiased, and thorough evaluation of alternatives and rational decision making.
  • Hypervigilance involves a hurried, anxious approach.
  • Decision Avoidance involves escaping decisions through procrastination, avoiding responsibility, or wishful bolstering of the least objectionable option.
Note: Mann et al.'s (1997) Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire has been recommended as a replacement for the DMQ. See also the Flinders Adolescent Decision Making Questionnaire.
Questions
31 items
Sub-scales
3 sub-scales:
  • Vigilance (V)
  • Hypervigilance (H)
  • Decision Avoidance (D)
    • Procrastination (P)
    • Buck Passing (B)
    • Rationalization (R)
Domain

Psychometrics

Sample items
  • I like to consider all of the alternatives. (V)
  • I feel as if I'm under tremendous time pressure when making decisions. (H)
  • I feel uncomfortable about making decisions. (D)
  • I delay making decisions until it is too late. ( P)
  • I prefer to leave decisions to others. (B)
  • I only want to hear information about my preferred alternative. (R)

References:

Scale:
  • Mann, L. (1982). Flinders Decision Making Questionnaire II. Unpublished Questionnaire. The Flinders University of South Australia.

Selected Uses:
  • Brown, J. E. & Mann, L. (1991). Decision-making competence and self-esteem: a comparison of parents and adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 14, 363-371. doi: 10.1016/0140-1971(91)90004-B

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