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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

16058 views

938 completions

788 likes

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

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.

Practical
Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Psychologist

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

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

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 here so you can see where you land.

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 here so you can see where you land.

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 here so you can see where you land.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

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

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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