We’re all experienced decision makers. We make hundreds of decisions a day, often without really thinking about it. But in reality, the decision-making process is complex, and many different factors influence the decisions we make. Our family, our values and emotions, advertising, and societal pressure can all influence our choices.
Another factor that can influence the way we make decisions is habit. We tend to make decisions in a certain way. It’s called our “decision-making style.” Take this questionnaire to discover your own decision-making style.
(This questionnaire is an adaptation of the General Decision Making Style questionnaire developed by Scott and Bruce, 1995)
DIRECTIONS
Rate each statement as a 1, 2, or 3:
1 = This statement is false.
2 = This statement is sometimes true. It depends on the situation.
3 = This statement is true.
- I make sure that I have all the facts before I make a decision.
- When I make a decision, I do what feels right.
- I often ask other people to help me make important decisions.
- I don’t like making decisions, so I try to avoid it.
- I make decisions quickly.
- I make decisions in a slow, logical way.
- When I make a decision, I rely on my instincts.
- I don’t make big decisions without talking to other people first.
- I usually won’t make an important decision until I’m forced to do so.
- I don’t think too much about the decisions that I make.
- Making decisions requires careful thought.
- A decision doesn’t need to make sense – it just needs to feel right.
- When I need to make an important decision, I like to have someone point me in the right direction.
- I try to put off making important decisions because thinking about them makes me feel uneasy.
- When I need to make an important decision, I just do what seems natural at the moment.
- I consider all of my options before making a decision.
- I rely on my inner feelings when making decisions.
- When I make a decision, I rely on other people’s advice.
- I usually make important decisions at the last minute.
- I often make impulsive decisions.
SCORING
Within each box, indicate the number (1, 2, or 3) that you assigned to the statements on the questionnaire. Then add those numbers up to get a total.
RESULTS
Take a look at your total scores.
- If A is your highest number, you’re systematic.
- If B is your highest number, you’re intuitive.
- If C is your highest number, you’re dependent.
- If D is your highest number, you’re avoidant.
- If E is your highest number, you’re spontaneous.
- If you have equally high scores in more than one area, it means that you regularly use more than one decision-making style.
A – Systematic
You make decisions slowly and carefully. You make sure that you have all the facts before you proceed. You carefully consider all of your options in order to make the best choice.
B – Intuitive
When you need to make a decision, you tend to rely on your feelings. You make decisions based on “hunches” and instinct. You do what feels right at the moment.
C – Dependent
You find it hard to make decisions without other people’s support. When you need to make an important decision, you ask other people for advice and direction. You’re uncomfortable making decisions alone.
D – Avoidant
You don’t like making important decisions. They make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable. So you try to avoid making decisions as much as possible. You only make important decisions when you’re pressured to do so.
E – Spontaneous
You make important decisions quickly and easily. You’re often impulsive. You don’t spend much time thinking or worrying about your decisions. You just make a choice and see what happens.
One style isn’t better than another. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, and they each work well in different situations.
- For instance, the systematic approach would work well if you have a big decision to make and a lot of time to make it.
- In an emergency situation, it might be better to be intuitive or spontaneous.
- If you don’t know much about a certain decision that you need to make, it might be good to be dependent and rely on the opinions of others.
- And sometimes it might be best to avoid making a decision altogether.
It’s OK to favor one of these styles more than the others. But if you rely exclusively on one decision-making style, you could end up making some bad decisions. For instance, it’s fine to be spontaneous sometimes – but it’s not the best way to go about making a major life decision. And it’s fine to avoid decisions now and then, but you’re going to run into problems if you avoid them all. Skilled decision-makers are able to use more than one style. They’re able to be flexible, and use the style that best fits the situation.
Scott, S. G. & Bruce, R. A. (1995). Decision-making style: The development and assessment of a new measure. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 55(5), 818–831.







Ruby Martin
My highest score was Intuitive and my lowest was Avoidant. This is interesting because I do love making decisions and being a leader in that way. I also really trust myself and my capabilities when it comes to making a decision.
yasmine Abdulnabi
My overwrought score was A to B I make a lot of the decisions immediately, but sometimes I like to take advice from other people before I make my decision. What was your thought about your high score?
Darren Nebafu
My highest score turned out to be B. which I think it’s pretty much true. I think most of the decisions or actions we take are due to our inner feeling,
what do you guys think about that?
Caleb Robinson
My highest sores were A and E.
Hugo Huang
My highest score A
Gentille
Decision was A and B
Gentille Shurweryimana
This was interesting my score was A and B
stephanie chavez
my highest score was A it was 11 I would consider myself to be systematic I do like to really know what I’m making a decision for and know that what ever it is I’m make a good choice for myself in the long run that’s alway important but sometimes it can lead to over thinking
mireya zuckernick
My scores came out as a A & B learner, and honestly that makes a lot of sense.
If A is your highest number, you’re systematic.
If B is your highest number, you’re intuitive.
Moosa AlHudaifi
I like this tool. Its really shows if you are a decision maker or not. My result was A and its correct. I always be careful when it’s coming to any decision that effect the people or the work or myself.
Hunter Demant
Highest Result: A = 11
B/C Result: 9
D Result: 4
E Result: 6
I would consider myself systematic, intuitive, and dependent – the results make sense to me.
Abdulrahman Al Mafrajee
A=11, B=6, C=9, D=4, E=5
A – systematic
I make decisions slowly and carefully. And make sure I have all the facts before proceeding. I carefully consider all my options in order to make the best choice.
I am most of the time methodical and organized, but sometimes I need to take the obvious in some situations.
In some situations, I avoid making decisions completely.
In other cases, the decision is spontaneous.
But in general, I tend to Systematic.
– I know that if I stick to one method, it can be negative sometimes, so flexibility is required in using the appropriate method according to the situations in order to be more successful.
lauren
my highest score was A and B
Robin
I’m A and C. I try to really think through the pros and cons of a situation and gather all the information I can. If I’m truly stumped I will turn to people I trust for insight.
Selena Haslett
Interesting, I got 3 with the same score!
Systematic
intuitive and
dependant
arianna
my highest score is A & B
Oseia
My highest score was A, Systematic which definitely has its pros and cons. I usually struggle with over thinking so when it’s time to make a decision it is well calculated and thought through.
Carolina Quijada
High score “A.” very correct for me. Second one was “B.” I do involve feeling in most of my decision making.
anahi
my decision is work or transfer
Anahi
My highest score were A, C. I feel those are correct for me because I am systematic and a dependent decision maker.
anahi
my is decision to transfer or work at pima.
Sky
This was very insightful. My highest score was A but I listen to my intuition often. B came in a close 2nd. I do see value in all the styles.
Wallace R. Chalmers
I usually do end up adding my feelings when making a decision. Therefore, B was my highest score.
Brady Beltz
High score was C but Im E
Ron Wang
I am A as data driven person
Anthony Webber
My highest score landed solely on B. I wouldn’t have guessed intuitive for myself.
Mallory Mayhew
My highest score was both C and E. I make decisions very quickly, but I also sometimes like a little bit of help when it comes to hard decision making.
Merci Nzabakiza
I make decisions relying on my inner feelings.
gizelle contreras
I am very intuitive when it comes to decision making.
Theresa Lehrling
My highest score was C & E.
alexis e chavez
Im the type of person that needs all the facts before I make a decision.
Jannifer
Hi. I’m an ESOL Teacher based in Auckland. Today, our topic was on decision-making and I got them to do this test. I usually use personality tests for my students and I need simple words that they can easily understand. This was a perfect one for them. Have you got any other tests like this on other topics?
Sasha Grutzeck
I’m so sorry, but this is the only one I have like this. But I’m really happy to hear that it was helpful!
paul
I think the result is not so reasonable. my result is E but I am actually A.
NORAISAH NURUDIN
My highest score A&C