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A meta-analysis of cognitive complexity and judgment accuracy in clinical decision making
Paul M Spengler1, Elliot S Spengler2, Nicholas A Lee1
1Department of Counseling Psychology, Social Psychology, and Counseling, College of Health, Ball State University.
None:
Cognitive complexity refers to a multidimensional information-processing style hypothesized to enhance clinical decision making. Extending the Meta-Analysis of Clinical Judgment project (Spengler et al., 2009), we reviewed 55 years of research examining the association between mental health clinicians' cognitive complexity and judgment accuracy. Nine studies (N = 915) met inclusion criteria. The mean random-effects correlation was r = .17 (95% CI [.11, .24], p < .01) indicating a small but statistically significant positive association. Mixed effects and meta-regression moderator analyses revealed no statistically significant effects, though trends suggested stronger associations among more experienced clinicians and in higher quality studies. Findings provide modest support for cognitive complexity as a beneficial clinician characteristic while highlighting the need for further research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
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