Factor Analysis of the Need for Cognition

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Abstract
A large group of students in the liberal arts and sciences responded to a questionnaire consisting of 293 true-false items. The majority of the items dealt with various aspects of cognition and a minority were buffer items. A factor analysis yielded 12 factors which were used to construct scales to measure sub-needs of cognitive motivation. Seven of the 12 scales discriminated significantly between more and less intellectual students. These seven were: Vigorous Carhexis for Theories and Relationships; a “Cognitive Bookworm” dimension; Social Anti-intellectualism; Religious Anti-intellectualism; Incurious Dependence; Shortcut, Observant, Hardheaded Approach to Knowledge; and Practical Minded (Non-cognitive) Acceptance of Others.

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