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The MIST has 2 parts; part 1 consists of2Q-items based on the scale ofRensis Li­
kert, and the 2 nd part consists of17 additional statements that gather information a­
bout individual features that may be ofassistance in therapy (Starck 1985:41-43 &
Guttmann 1996:196). Althoughthis test is regarded as very reliable and valid it does
not have the importance ofthe PIL-test
A quick glanceatthe test itselfreveals that it is totally introspective and it deals with
the "beliefs" ofthe sufferer. Every one ofthe 20 statements starts with the phrase "I
believe...." From a phenomenological-existential point ofview these questions look
meaningful because they try to reveal what the patient/client (the "sufferer') honestly
has to say about hisJher"believes" about hisJhersufferingand also about the way
he/she "sees" and/or has "experienced" this suffering. The subjective nature ofthese
--questions
are prominent.
From a cognitive pointofview the perceptions ofa client/patient are inseparably
linked with the cognitive constructs that he/she has. The manner in which individuals
perceive and interpretthing;; and persons in their environments, forms the heart of
this perspective. Most cognitive personologists probably would find the statements
inthe MIST meaningful. because the way the 20 statements are structured, do not
deny the presence ofpersonal constructs ofthe clients/patientswho answer them.
However, froma dispositionalpoint ofview, the statements do not include any state­
ments regardingpossible traits that influencethe perception ofthe patient/client
What is lackingin these statements is the presence ofpossible social, political, cul­
tural, historical-political and environmental factors. The "I believe..." formule is
formulated in an almost a-historicalway which underlinesthe logotherapeutic em­
phasis ofself-transcendence and the beliefthat humans are greater than their cir-
lOS