Need for Closure: Measure Adaptation to Brazil and Relation with Moral Foundations and Prosociality

Abstract

Need for closure (NFC) is the need people have for any type of answers on a given topic, compared to confusion and ambiguity. Despite being relevant to the study of concepts such as authoritarianism, prejudice, and hostile behaviors, its use has not been identified in the Brazilian context, and adaptation studies have not yet been carried out in the country. Therefore, this study sought to adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the brief NFC scale for Brazil, as well as to explore its relationship with the Moral Foundations Theory and Prosociality. The sample consisted of 427 people, aged 18 to 66 years (M = 26.6). Through Confirmatory Factor Analysis, a one-dimensional model was confirmed with adequate levels of adjustment and a good index of internal consistency (α = 0.81). The measure also presented convergent and divergent validity, in addition to the Binding Moral Foundations having emerged as significant correlates, but not the prosociality measures. Finally, it was concluded that the scale presented acceptable preliminary evidence regarding the psychometric parameters and can begin to be used to assess NFC in the Brazilian context.