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. 2024 Dec 3;121(49):e2409191121.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.2409191121. Epub 2024 Nov 27.

Cognitive reflection is a distinct and measurable trait

Andrew Meyer  1 , Yigal Attali  2 , Maya Bar-Hillel  3 , Shane Frederick  4 , Daniel Kahneman  5
Affiliations

Cognitive reflection is a distinct and measurable trait

Andrew Meyer et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. .

Abstract

We report the findings of an adversarial collaboration examining whether the cognitive reflection test (CRT) measures anything beyond mathematical aptitude and, if so, whether its incremental predictive validity can be attributed to reflection, per se. We found that an 8-item CRT has greater predictive validity than an 8-item Mathematical Aptitude Test (MAT) consisting of comparably difficult items which lack dominant intuitive lures. Further, the incremental predictive validity stems from the CRT's measurement of reflection, which we show using both structural equation models and a dual-response paradigm that helps distinguish susceptibility to intuitions from inadequate mathematical aptitude.

Keywords: cognitive reflection; dual-system theory; individual differences.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
A decomposition of CRT’s relation with three DVs. Note: all variables are latent. Path coefficients are standardized (and bolded if P < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Meyer A., Frederick S., The formation and revision of intuitions. Cognition 240, 105380 (2023). - PubMed

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