Do You Trust Your Intuition? A Psychological Test on Intuitive Style

Let’s talk about how people make decisions. Some rely on logic and analysis, while others lean on their gut feelings, or intuition. It’s not about one being better than the other—they can exist independently. There’s a test that helps you figure out how much you use intuition in your life. It’s called the Intuitive Style Questionnaire, and it’s part of a larger tool created by psychologist Seymour Epstein.

Who Is Seymour Epstein and Why This Matters

Epstein was an American psychologist who worked in the 20th and 21st centuries. He came up with a theory about how our brain uses two systems: one rational, all about calculations and evidence, and the other experiential, where intuition plays a big role. He believed intuition isn’t the opposite of logic but something separate. In 1999, together with his colleague Rosemary Pacini, he published the Rational-Experiential Inventory (REI), a tool to measure these styles. It was adapted into Russian in 2004 and 2013. Fun fact: studies show that people with strong intuition often make quicker decisions in uncertain situations, like in business or sports. But intuition can sometimes mislead if you ignore facts. For example, psychology experiments show intuitive people are better at spotting lies based on facial cues because they trust their “gut.”

The cool thing about this test is that it looks at intuition in two parts: your intuitive ability (whether you feel you have it) and how much you use it (whether you trust it in decisions). It doesn’t label you as an “intuitive” or a “logical” person—it just shows your level. This can help with self-discovery, like choosing a career or understanding your relationships.

Now, the Test

This is a simplified version of the Intuitive Style Questionnaire. It has 20 questions split into two subscales: “Intuitive Ability” (questions 1-10) and “Use of Intuition” (questions 11-20). Answer honestly based on how these apply to you. Use a scale from 1 to 5:

• 1 – Strongly disagree
• 2 – Disagree
• 3 – Not sure
• 4 – Agree
• 5 – Strongly agree

Write down your answers on paper or keep them in mind to calculate your score later.

1. I have a strong sense of people.
2. I can easily “read” others’ thoughts from their faces.
3. I often feel something will happen, and it does.
4. My hunches about the future are usually accurate.
5. I’m good at spotting when someone is lying.
6. I have a knack for intuitive guesses.
7. I can quickly understand a situation without analyzing it.
8. My instincts are rarely wrong.
9. I can feel the energy from people or places.
10. I have an inner compass that guides me correctly.
11. I trust my first impressions of people.
12. When I need to choose, I listen to my gut.
13. I like relying on intuition for decisions.
14. My gut-based decisions are often better than logical ones.
15. I’m not afraid to follow my intuitive impulses.
16. In tough situations, I choose what “feels” right.
17. I think intuition is a reliable advisor.
18. I often make choices without thinking too long.
19. My hunches are worth paying attention to.
20. I actively use intuition in everyday life.

Done? Now calculate your scores separately for each subscale. For “Intuitive Ability,” add up your answers for questions 1-10 (max 50, min 10). For “Use of Intuition,” add up questions 11-20 (also 10-50). Your total intuitive style score is the sum of both, ranging from 20 to 100.

Fun Psychology Facts About Intuition

Intuition isn’t magic—it’s your brain quickly processing information based on past experiences. Psychologists call it an “autopilot.” For example, in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink, he describes how experts make snap judgments. But if you lack experience, intuition can be biased—this is called cognitive errors. Epstein’s research shows that people with a high intuitive style are often happier in creative fields like art or entrepreneurship. In medicine, intuitive doctors diagnose faster but combine it with logic for accuracy.

Understanding Your Results

Here’s how to interpret your scores. This isn’t a diagnosis, just a guide. A low score might mean you prefer analysis, while a high score shows intuition is important to you.

Intuitive Ability (questions 1-10):

• 10-20: You rarely sense intuitive signals. You likely rely more on facts.
• 21-30: Average level. Intuition pops up occasionally.
• 31-40: Well-developed ability. You often “feel” things.
• 41-50: Very strong intuition. It’s like a superpower for you.

Use of Intuition (questions 11-20):

• 10-20: You don’t often listen to intuition, preferring to think things through.
• 21-30: You use it sometimes but don’t always trust it.
• 31-40: You actively apply it in decisions.
• 41-50: Intuition is your go-to tool, and you fully trust it.

Total Score (sum):

• 20-40: Low intuitive style. You’re more of a rationalist, liking to plan and verify.
• 41-60: Average. A balanced approach, with intuition helping but not dominating.
• 61-80: High. You often rely on your gut, making life more dynamic.
81-100: Very high. Intuition is a core part of you, and you live in harmony with it.

If you want to boost your intuition, try meditation or keeping a journal of your hunches. Or combine it with logic for better results. This test is a tool for reflection, nothing more. If you’re curious, read up on Epstein—his ideas can change how you view thinking.