The relation of rational and experiential information processing styles topersonality, basic beliefs, and the ratio-bias phenomenon

A new version of the Rational-Experiential Inventory (REI), which measures rational and experiential thinking styles and includes subscales of self-re ported ability and engagement, was examined in two studies. In Study 1, the two main scales were independent, and they and their subscales exhibited d iscriminant validity and contributed to the prediction of a variety of meas ures beyond the contribution of the Big Five scales. A rational thinking st yle was most strongly and directly related to Ego Strength, Openness, Consc ientiousness, and favorable basic beliefs about the self and the world, and it was most strongly inversely related to Neuroticism and Conservatism. An experiential thinking style was most strongly directly related to Extraver sion, Agreeableness, Favorable Relationships Beliefs, and Emotional Express ivity, and it was most strongly inversely related to Categorical Thinking, Distrust of Others, and Intolerance. In Study 2, a rational thinking style: was inversely related and an experiential thinking style was unrelated to nonoptimal responses in a game of chance. It was concluded that the new REI is a significant improvement over the previous version and measures unique aspects of personality.