Dimensions of the Need for Cognition: Subscales and Gender Differences

Multivariate Behavioral Research
J S TanakaW C Winborne

Abstract

The Need for Cognition (Cacioppo & Petty, 1982) scale has been used, predominantly in the persuasion literature, to assess the degree to which individuals tend to engage in elaborative thought. Using both statistically appropriate methods for the factor analysis of dichotomous variables and latent variable models, we report studies which discuss the development and validation of subscales of the NFC. The findings suggest that three subscales (Cognitive Persistence, Cognitive Confidence, and Cognitive Complexity), representing three different domains of elaborative thought, can be identified. A gender difference was obtained consistently on the Cognitive Persistence Scale: Women scored higher than men. Finally, using latent variable modeling methodologies, we present some initial exploratory evidence regarding cohort differences. We find no statistically significant relation between years of education and NFC subscale scores. Implications of the subscales and potential correlates of the gender difference found for Cognitive Persistence are discussed.

References

Jan 1, 1987·The American Journal of Emergency Medicine·C M OlsonK M Beney
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Sep 1, 1983·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·J M Golding, J L Singer
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Jun 1, 1984·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·R D Lennox, R N Wolfe
Mar 1, 1965·Psychological Bulletin·L G RORER
Jun 1, 1984·Journal of Personality Assessment·J T CacioppoC F Kao
Apr 1, 1983·Multivariate Behavioral Research·J S Tanaka, P M Bentler

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