Need for Cognition Is Positively Related to Promotion Focus and Negatively Related to Prevention Focus.

Ashley H Oiknine,Benjamin T Files,Kimberly A Pollard,Peter Khooshabeh

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.606847

Abstract

Need for cognition (NFC) and regulatory focus (RF) are important variables with individual differences relevant to motivation and goal pursuit. These constructs are widely used in the literature, often separately; no work has simultaneously examined the need for cognition scale (NCS) and Lockwood’s general regulatory focus measure (GRFM). Here, we explore shared theoretical underpinnings of the two constructs and assess whether they may be driven by common underlying factors. Considering purported overlaps between these scales and other constructs (e.g., personality and cognitive processes), we take a strong inference approach to test hypothesized bridges between the two measures. In a large (N = 853) sample, we found NCS to be related positively to GRFM promotion and negatively to GRFM prevention scores, suggesting mutual ties with behavioral inhibition system/behavioral activation system, intrinsic motivation, openness, and creativity. A generalized approach motivation, as well as intrinsic motivation, may thus drive both NFC and RF.

Highlights

Need for cognition (NFC) and regulatory focus (RF) are widely used constructs in the individual difference and motivation literature, often measured using the need for cognition scale (NCS; Cacioppo et al, 1984) and the generalized regulatory focus measure (GRFM; Lockwood et al, 2002), respectively
The promotion subscale showed a positive correlation with NCS (r (851) = 0.36, p < 0.001, 95% CI = [0.289, 0.435]; Figure 2)
The prevention subscale showed a negative correlation with NCS (r (851) = −0.21, p < 0.001 95% CI = [−0.281,−0.120]; Figure 3)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Need for cognition (NFC) and regulatory focus (RF) are widely used constructs in the individual difference and motivation literature, often measured using the need for cognition scale (NCS; Cacioppo et al, 1984) and the generalized regulatory focus measure (GRFM; Lockwood et al, 2002), respectively. NCS has been shown to relate positively to BAS and negatively to BIS (Gray, 1982; Fleischhauer et al, 2010) This would lead to the following hypothesis: H1b: Individual differences in approach and avoidance tendencies motivate a person toward or away from effortful thinking and toward promotion oriented or prevention oriented thinking, respectively. High elaborative tendencies are observed in persons high in GRFM prevention and promotion (relational and item specific) and in persons high in NFC This brings us to the hypothesis: H2: Individual differences in enjoyment of complex problems, pursuit of gains, and loss avoidance differently motivate the elaboration and scrutiny of incoming information.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants

Procedure

DISCUSSION

ETHICS STATEMENT