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Original Article

Need for Cognition

Its Dimensionality and Personality and Intelligence Correlates

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1027/1614-0001/a000119

The relationship between need for cognition (NFC) and measures of both personality and intelligence was investigated. Study 1 (N = 195) addressed recent concerns over item-polarity effects in NFC scales. With these effects removed, a reworded 34-item NFC scale showed evidence of multidimensionality. Study 2 (N = 93) investigated NFC and the Big Five personality traits as well as correlates of general intelligence. The regression model accounted for 24% of the variance in intelligence scores. Results showed that NFC mediated the relationship between Openness to Experience and intelligence, and suggested that NFC might similarly mediate the relationship between Neuroticism and intelligence. Results from the two studies suggest possible benefits of conceptualizing NFC as a motivation for cognitive challenge. Limitations are considered.

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