| This study investigated the hypothesis that multiple modes of information processing determine everyday coping behavior and that individual differences in these processing modes are related to adaptation and well-being. A self-report questionnaire was constructed consisting of items based on Epstein's (1990) cognitive-experiential self-theory, which distinguishes between experiential and rational processing, and Logan's (1988) instance theory of automatization, which makes a similar distinction between automatic and nonautomatic processing. Using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to assess the dimensionality of this questionnaire, three different processing factors were identified and cross-validated in an independent sample: (1) rational/nonautomatic processing, (2) experiential processing, and (3) automatic processing. The scales that were constructed to measure these factors were labeled the Modes of Processing Inventory (MPI), which was found to have good psychometric properties. Results were also found which suggest that, in general, rational/nonautomatic processing is the most adaptive processing mode, whereas experiential processing is the least adaptive mode. |
