Convergent validity of two decision making style measures

Abstract

Decision making research has witnessed a growing number of studies on individual differences and decision making styles, yet the lack of comprehensive frameworks and widely accepted measures has hindered research for a long time. There is an ongoing debate on whether individuals’ styles dynamically change across time and situations according to circumstances. Furthermore, it is an open question whether these styles are mutually exclusive. Decision style measures seek to determine one's dominant style as well as less used styles. To our knowledge this is the first study of the convergent validity of two widely used decision making style measures: The Decision Style Inventory (DSI) and the General Decision Making Style (GDMS). The direction and strength of correlation between directive, analytical, conceptual and behavioral styles as measured by DSI and rational, intuitive, dependent, avoidant and spontaneous styles as measured by GDMS have been tested. Results of the current study are compared with previous studies that have used one or both of the instruments. Correlations between styles are consistent with findings from other studies using one of the decision style measures, but the strength of correlations indicates that there is no convergent validity between DSI and GDMS.Decision making research has witnessed thrive of studies on individual differences and decision making styles, yet the lack of comprehensive frameworks and widely accepted measures has hindered research for a long time. Proponents of decision style research claim that individuals’ styles differ across time and situations denoting style dynamics. Decisions are dynamic as they change according to circumstances. Decision style measures seek to determine ones dominant style as well as other less used styles. There is ongoing debate whether these styles are mutually exclusive or dynamic. To our knowledge this is the first study of convergent validity of two of the most used decision making style measures: Decision Style Inventory and General Decision Making Style. The direction and strength of correlation between directive, analytical, conceptual and behavioral styles as measured by DSI and rational, intuitive, dependent, avoidant and spontaneous styles as measured by GDSM have been tested. Results of the current study are compared with previous studies that have utilized both or one of the instruments. Correlations between styles are consistent with other studies, but the strength of correlation ascertains that there is no convergent validity between DSI and GDMS.