Dispositional Differences in Cognitive Motivation: The Life and Times of Individuals Varying in Need for Cognition

Need for cognition in contemporary literature refers to an individual's tendency to engage in and enjoy effortful cognitive endeavors. Individual differences in need for cognition have been the focus of investigation in over 100 empirical studies. This literature is reviewed, covering the theor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological bulletin 1996-03, Vol.119 (2), p.197-253
Main Authors: Cacioppo, John T, Petty, Richard E, Feinstein, Jeffrey A, Jarvis, W. Blair G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cognition
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive motivation
Human
Individual Differences
Literature Review
Motivation
Personality
Personality Theory
Psychology
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Summary:Need for cognition in contemporary literature refers to an individual's tendency to engage in and enjoy effortful cognitive endeavors. Individual differences in need for cognition have been the focus of investigation in over 100 empirical studies. This literature is reviewed, covering the theory and history of this variable, measures of interindividual variations in it, and empirical relationships between it and personality variables, as well as individuals' tendencies to seek and engage in effortful cognitive activity and enjoy cognitively effortful circumstances. The article concludes with discussions of an elaborated theory of the variable, including antecedent conditions; interindividual variations in it related to the manner information is acquired or processed to guide perceptions, judgments, and behavior; and the relationship between it and the 5-factor model of personality structure.
ISSN:0033-2909
1939-1455
DOI:10.1037/0033-2909.119.2.197