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Decision-Making Tendencies Inventory (DMTI)

Decision-Making Tendencies Inventory (DMTI) Test

Learn how you tend to decide, whether you seek the best, settle for good enough, or move on fast, in 4 minutes. Get clear insights you can use for coaching, hiring, and productivity.

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Questions: 204 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

16,061 view

946 completions

788 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

3/7

Minimization (M)

Minimization measures the tendency to reduce effort and uncertainty by avoiding complex decisions and limiting information search.

Low minimization

Moderate minimization

High minimization

1 – 2: Low minimization | 3 – 5: Moderate minimization | 6 – 7: High minimization

A score of 3 indicates a moderate tendency to simplify decisions, balancing effort-saving with some willingness to engage in more complex choices when needed.

example score

2/7

Satisficing (S)

This scale measures the tendency to choose an option that feels sufficiently satisfying rather than searching for the absolute best alternative.

Low satisficing

Moderate satisficing

High satisficing

1 – 2: Low satisficing | 3 – 5: Moderate satisficing | 6 – 7: High satisficing

A score of 2 indicates low satisficing, suggesting a weaker inclination to settle for a good-enough choice and a greater tendency to continue evaluating alternatives.

example score

4/7

Maximizing (M)

Maximization measures how strongly a person tends to search for the best possible option among alternatives when making decisions.

Low

Moderate

High

1 – 3: Low | 4 – 5: Moderate | 6 – 7: High

A score of 4 suggests a moderate tendency to look for an optimal option, balancing thorough comparison with time and effort costs.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

HR and team leads

41%OF USERS

Use it to understand how candidates or employees choose options, how long they analyze, and what decision style fits different roles.

Coaches and psychologists

34%OF USERS

Apply it in sessions to spot whether a client overanalyzes, settles quickly, or avoids effort, and to tailor practical strategies.

People with choice fatigue

25%OF USERS

Take it to figure out why decisions feel hard or slow and to adjust habits around selecting “best,” “good enough,” or “fastest.”

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Therapist

Clarify, reflect, and explore your results right away. Talk through your experience, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Minimization (M)

Average

2.8

Normal range

1.7 — 3.8

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Satisfactions (S)

Average

4.1

Normal range

3.1 — 5.2

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Maximization (M)

Average

3.3

Normal range

2.5 — 4.1

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures three decision-making tendencies: seeking the best available option, choosing an acceptable option, and reducing time and effort spent deciding.

How is the questionnaire completed?

It consists of 20 self-report items rated according to typical behavior. Most respondents finish in about 4 minutes.

How should the results be interpreted?

Scores indicate which tendency is more prominent relative to the others. Results describe typical decision patterns and do not diagnose mental disorders.

In what settings is it commonly used?

It is used in coaching, personnel assessment, productivity work, and educational planning. It can support discussions about choice strategies and self-regulation.

What factors can affect score accuracy?

Inattentive responding and attempts to present an idealized image can distort results. For best accuracy, respond based on usual behavior rather than a single recent situation.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Decision-Making Tendencies Inventory (DMTI) Test - Symptoms and Signs

decision making

This brief self-report inventory is used to characterize how individuals typically approach everyday decisions. The Decision-Making Tendencies Inventory (DMTI) assesses decision-making tendencies commonly described as maximizing (seeking the best option), satisficing (selecting an option that is “good enough”), and minimizing (reducing time and effort in choosing). It consists of 20 items and takes about 4 minutes to complete.

Results are typically interpreted as relative preferences across these tendencies and can help inform clinical case formulation, coaching, or organizational consultation when decision processes are a focus. The Decision-Making Tendencies Inventory (DMTI) is attributed to Irving L. Janis and Leon Mann.

Author: Irving L. Janis, Leon Mann

Literature: Scott, S. G., & Bruce, R. A. Decision-making style: The development and assessment of a new measure. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. 1995.; Misuraca, R., Faraci, P., Gangemi, A., Carmeci, F. A., & Miceli, S. The decision making tendency inventory: A new measure to assess maximizing, satisficing, and minimizing. Personality and Individual Differences. 2015.

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