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Original Article

Assessing Need for Cognition in Early Adolescence

Validation of a German Adaption of the Cacioppo/Petty Scale

Published Online:January 01, 2014https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000170

Abstract

Need for cognition (NFC) refers to “the (enduring) tendency for an individual to engage in and enjoy effortful analytic activity” (Cacioppo & Petty, 1982, p. 116). Yet, NFC has predominantly been assessed in adults. I present a 19-item German NFC scale for children of 10 years and older. 745 secondary-school students were assessed three times in grades 5 and 6 with measures of NFC, intelligence, achievement, and motivational variables. The scale showed good psychometric properties, validity, and suitability for longitudinal research. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a one-dimensional conceptualization of NFC and the need for method factors for the effects of item wording, which were systematically related to students’ ability, achievement, and motivation.

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