Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

1-2023

Abstract

While the extent to which individuals engage in and enjoy cognitive abilities, commonly known as need for cognition (NFC), has been suggested to promote adaptive behaviors associated with well-being, there has not been a systematic examination of the strength of the relationship between NFC and well-being. This meta-analysis sought to examine the association between NFC and well-being. Based on 108 effect sizes extracted from 52 samples (50 records), a small to medium positive relationship (r = .20, 95% CI [.16, .23], p r|s = [.07, .45]). Exploratory moderation analyses showed that age moderated the relationship between NFC and well-being, whereby the positive relationship was stronger in younger samples. The gender proportion of the sample also moderated the relationship between NFC and well-being for certain specific measures of well-being, whereby the positive relationship between NFC and well-being was stronger among females.

Keywords

Meta-analysis, Need for cognition, Well-being, Ill-being

Discipline

Cognition and Perception | Social Psychology

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Motivation and Emotion

First Page

1

Last Page

25

ISSN

0146-7239

Identifier

10.1007/s11031-023-10047-w

Publisher

Springer

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-023-10047-w

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