The MDCTI is a two-part standardized instrument which targets core critical thinking skills, mental disciplines, and personal attributes regarded as essential for military and defense personnel. MDCTI Part 1 addresses critical thinking disciplines and attributes relevant to the expression of thought in decision making and problem solving in professional contexts.  MDCTI Part 2 measures core critical thinking and reasoning skills. Click on the name of any of the sixteen scales identified below to see its description.

MENTAL FOCUS
This scale measures the mental discipline of being diligent, systematic, task-oriented, organized, and clear-headed. High scorers (85-100) are at ease when engaging a problem, systematic in their approach and confident in their ability to complete tasks in a timely way. They feel focused and clear-headed. Low scores (50-65) are characteristic of individuals disposed to be undisciplined, haphazard, unfocused or easily distracted. These individuals might benefit from training that emphasizes time management, the elimination of distractions and greater focus and organization. Mid range scores indicate inconsistency in mental focus. Back to list of MDCTI Scales

INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY
This scale measures the mental discipline of striving for honesty when evaluating differing viewpoints for the sake of learning the truth or reaching the best decision. A person with intellectual integrity has a driving desire to get at the truth and to follow reasons and evidence courageously wherever they may lead. High scorers (85-100) value the fair-minded pursuit of best knowledge, and value the opportunity to hear people's points of view. Low scores (50-65) are indicative of an endorsement of intellectual dishonesty and a rejection of the importance of objectivity and truth-seeking. Midrange scores (65-85) indicate ambivalent endorsement of intellectual integrity. Back to list of MDCTI Scales

MENTAL RIGOR
This scale measures the mental discipline to work hard in an effort to interpret and achieve a deep understanding of complex material. High scorers (85-100) are not put off by the need to read difficult material or to analyze complicated situations or problems. They express strong intellectual curiosity. Low scores (50-65) are indicative of a significant inclination not to seek new knowledge and not to examine new content or complex problems in depth. This person is disposed toward being mentally lazy, sloppy, and apathetic, or even hostile toward detailed and careful inquiry. Midrange scores (65-85) indicate an inconsistent or ambiguous level of mental rigor. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

ANALYTICITY
This scale measures the mental discipline to approach problems analytically, and one's valuation of clarity and accurate interpretation of complex problem situations. High scores (85-100) are associated with strong analytical habits of mind and the inclination to try to anticipate the consequences of decisions. Low scores (50-65) are of great concern in that they are the self report of discomfort or lack of awareness in the face of complicated problems that require analytical thought. This person has a strong tendency to be heedless of consequences or to lack foresight. Midrange scores indicate ambivalent or erratic analytical approaches to problem solving. This scale is not a measure of skills (analytical skills are measured on Part 2 of the MDCTI). This scale is an assessment of one's inclination to want to use those skills if they have them. Back to list of MDCTI Scale


COGNITIVE MATURITY
COGNITIVE MATURITY
This scale assesses cognitive developmental level. High scores (85-100) identify the individual who has an appreciation for multiple potential perspectives on best knowledge and wisdom when making judgments. This person will likely reconsider judgments in the face of new evidence and reserve judgment as appropriate in critical situations. A person at a high level of cognitive development and maturity understands that reasonable people can disagree, but, not being a relativist, the person also understands that some reasons and arguments are better than others. Low scores (50-65) are of concern in that they are indicative of perspectives about knowledge and truth that too often abdicate the power of judgment when uncertainty is high. This person does not value nuanced perspectives and tends to see issues in stark black-and-white terms. A person with a low score on this scale might be described as cognitively immature. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENCE
This scale describes the level of confidence felt by newly commissioned or promoted individuals regarding their readiness to handle the stress, competitiveness, vocabulary, workload, instructional or orientation methods, and related complexities of the job. Scores of 85 or higher are expected of individuals who have strong sense of their perceived efficacy. Perceived efficacy does not equate with actual success, but it does position the individual to approach experiences within these settings with confidence. Scores of 65 or lower suggest that the individual has significant concerns about his/her readiness for the duties and responsibilities of their position. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

COMMUNICATIVE CONFIDENCE
The Communicative Confidence Scale measures confidence in oral and written communication and assesses the subject's attitudes about technical writing. Scores of 85 or higher indicate confidence in the ability to lead groups through the presentation of oral arguments, to read well, and to write effectively about analyses and opinions. Scores of 65 or lower indicate self perceived deficits in communication skills. While this is not a measure of actual communication skills, acknowledged concern about possible deficits suggests the value of a skills assessment and, if warranted, attention to strengthening those skills and confidence in using them. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

INTERACTION STYLE #1: COMPETITION
Scores between 65 and 50 indicate a person who tends to prefer teamwork and collaborative approaches toward achieving success, whereas scores between 85 and 100 describe a person who prefers to compete as a lone individual. This scale describes ways of interacting with others. No value judgment is necessarily implied. Depending on the context, having a more competitive or more collaborative style has advantages and disadvantages. These advantages and disadvantages can be magnified in persons with scores at either of the extreme ends of this scale, which ranges from 50 to 100. A person with a score between 85 and 100 might be characterized as a highly competitive and aggressive individual with less tolerance of being led by peers or persuaded to compromise. We might call this person "The Lone Competitor." This individual is focused more on a personal assessment of the issues and can often appear opinionated or rigid in group decision-making contexts. Individuals with scores between 65 and 50 are often particularly tolerant of group processes, and open to compromise to reach consensus, "The Team Member". This individual consistently highly values collaborative effort. Midrange scores (65-85) indicate a more eclectic approach to interactions where competition is a factor. This individual has more flexibility across contexts in the expression of their competitiveness. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

INTERACTION STYLE #2: EXPRESSION
This scale measures social expression. Scores between 65 and 50 indicate a person who tends to be a quiet observer, whereas scores between 85 and 100 indicate a person who is highly expressive and vocal. No value judgment is necessarily implied. Depending on the context, both approaches to self expression have advantages and disadvantages. These tend to be magnified in individuals scoring at either extreme end of this scale, which ranges between 50 and 100. An individual with a score between 85 and 100 might be characterized as highly social and high-verbal in settings with peers. We can call this person an "Expressive Performer" This person may challenge superiors inappropriately until knowledge of the professional culture is obtained. They can be challenging to commanders and trainers in learning situations and professional practice settings which demand a more thoughtful, individualized approach to problem-solving, and the demonstration of a more independent and focused effort from each individual. A score between 65 and 50 is indicative of a quieter presence in social situations, "The Quiet Observer". This individual may be more contemplative in nature and more selective in the expression of thought, or they may lack significant insight. Further assessment of thinking ability (as reported by the Total Score on Part 2 of MDCTI) can help differentiate which is more likely. Midrange scores indicate a more varied expression of thought in social situations. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

INTERACTION STYLE #3: STANCE
This scale measures an individual's directness in relationship to questions or pressure from peers or superiors. Scores between 65 and 50 indicate a person who interacts in ways which are intended to gain the acceptance and approval of others, whereas scores between 85 and 100 indicate a person who tends to speak forthrightly and to make decisions with little concern for whether or not others would give their approval. No value judgment is necessarily implied. Depending on the context there can be advantages and disadvantages with both approaches, and these can be magnified in persons who score at the extreme ends of this scale, which ranges from 50 to 100. Persons with scores between 85 and 100 on this measure are highly forthright, sometimes to the point of painful honesty ("The Forthright Declarer"). This expression of forthrightness is typically a sign of strength in the more experienced leader, but can be detrimental to team functioning in the novice. Scores between 65 and 50 indicate a tendency to present oneself to others as having a near perfect nature, even if one must lie or exaggerate one's own positive characteristics, ("The Approval Seeker"). Midrange scores (65-85) indicate a more common and, arguably perhaps more acceptable professional stance in relationship to the expression of one's thoughts and opinions. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

PART 2: TOTAL SCORE: CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
The MDCTI Part 2 Total score is the most valid measure of overall strength in critical thinking skills. To score well overall the test taker must excel in the integrated use of a range of critical thinking skills and have no focal weaknesses. This is a challenging test. On a 100 point scale, a total score above 85 indicates superior critical thinking skills consistent with senior level leadership potential. Scores in the band 84-75 show strong skills consistent with learning and professional development. Scores in the band 66-74 indicate mid range and lower skill levels, suggesting the potential for possible difficulties transitioning into learning and workplace environments that demand independent problem-solving and decision making. Scores of 65 or lower indicate significant weaknesses in core critical thinking skill, or they may indicate language comprehension issues or the lack of a true effort on the part of the test-taker. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

ANALYTICAL & INTERPRETIVE SKILLS
Analytical and Interpretive skills are used to closely examine ideas, to identify assumptions, reasons and claims, and to gather detailed information from charts, graphs, diagrams, paragraphs, etc. These skills are also used when determining the precise meaning of a sentence, passage, text, idea, assertion, sign, signal, chart, etc. in a given context and for a given purpose. Good interpretation often involves properly categorizing information, decoding the significance of what a person is saying and clarifying what something means. It would be unwise to build further judgments, such as inferences and evaluations, upon the results of a poor analysis or a mistaken interpretation. On a 100 point scale, a score of 85 or higher indicates superior analytical and interpretive reasoning skills. Scores in the band 84-75 show strong skills, scores in the 66-74 range indicate moderate skills, and scores of 65 or below indicate significant weakness in these skills. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

INFERENCE SKILLS
Inference skills are used when drawing conclusions based on reasons and evidence. Inferences can be skillfully drawn from a wide variety of things including information, data, beliefs, opinions, facts, conjectures, definitions, principles, images, signs, behaviors, documents, or testimony. However, skillful inference does not guarantee that the conclusion will be true. Conclusions inferred on the basis of misunderstandings, mistaken beliefs, bad data, unreliable opinions, biased evaluations, or faulty information, for example, can turn out to be mistaken, even if reached using excellent inference skills. On a 100 point scale, a score of 85 or higher on this scale indicates superior inferential reasoning skills. Scores in the band 84-75 show strong skills, scores in the 66-74 range indicate moderate skill levels, and scores of 65 or below indicate significant weakness in inferential reasoning. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

EVALUATION & EXPLANATION SKILLS
Evaluation and Explanation skills are used to assess the credibility of claims and the strength or weakness of arguments. Evaluation skills can also be applied to form judgments about the quality of inferences, analyses, interpretations, options, opinions, beliefs, ideas, proposals, beliefs and justifications. Explanation involves providing one's reasons, methods, assumptions or rationale for one's beliefs and conclusions. Reaching a correct conclusion is not sufficient for strong critical thinking; strong critical thinking involves reaching a correct conclusion for a good reason, not by luck or on the basis of weak arguments and mistaken opinions. On a 100 point scale, a score of 85 or higher indicates superior evaluative and explanatory reasoning skills. Scores in the band 84-75 show strong skills, scores in the 66-74 range indicate moderate skills, and scores of 65 or below indicate significant weakness in these skills. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

Together, analysis, interpretation, inference, evaluation and explanation form a full representation of the core critical thinking skills as identified in the international expert consensus Delphi Research Project, understanding, of course, that meta-cognitive self-regulation, while being exercised as one takes the MDCTI Part 2, cannot be readily accessed apart from the operation of the other skills.

DEDUCTIVE REASONING IN PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS
Deductive reasoning moves from the assumed truth of a set of beliefs or premises to a conclusion which follows of necessity. In a valid deductive argument the conclusion cannot possibly be false if the premises are all true. Geometry, algebra, and many computer programs are deductive chains of reasoning, as are Sudoku puzzles. Activities which require following rules, definitions, laws or diagrams with exacting precision call on deductive reasoning skills. On a 100 point scale, a score of 85 or higher on this scale indicates superior deductive reasoning skills. Scores in the band 84-75 shows strong skills, scores in the 66-74 range indicate moderate skills, and those 65 or below indicate significant weakness in deductive reasoning. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

INDUCTIVE REASONING IN PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS
Inductive reasoning is drawing warranted probabilistic inferences regarding what is most likely true or most likely not true, given the information and the context at hand. Scientific disconfirmation of hypotheses uses inductive reasoning. Drawing probabilistic conclusions based on key examples, evidence, data, precedents, memories, testimony or relevant cases is inductive. Statistical inferences and reasoning by analogy is inductive. As long as there is the possibility, however remote, that one's highly probable conclusion might be mistaken, one is using inductive reasoning. On a 100 point scale, a score of 85 or higher indicates superior inductive reasoning skills. Scores in the band 84-75 indicate strong inductive reasoning skills, scores in the 66-74 range indicate moderate skills, and scores of 65 or below indicate significant weakness in inductive reasoning. Back to list of MDCTI Scale

The book, Thinking and Reasoning in Human Decision Making, explores the relationship between critical thinking, expertise, and decision making in time-limited contexts of uncertainty and risk.