undefined

Need for Cognition Scale

The Need for Cognition Scale is used to measure how much a person enjoys and engages in thinking and problem-solving activities. It was developed by John Cacioppo and Richard Petty in 1982. The scale helps researchers and educators understand individual differences in intellectual motivation and cognitive engagement

3 minutes to complete

Eligibility

The Need for Cognition Scale is typically completed by individuals who are at least 18 years old and have the ability to read and understand the questions presented. This measure is designed to assess an individual's preference for engaging in effortful cognitive activities and is suitable for a wide range of populations.

Questions for Need for Cognition Scale

Questions

1.

I would prefer complex to simple problems.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
2.

I like to have the responsibility of handling a situation that requires a lot of thinking.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
3.

Thinking is not my idea of fun.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. I prefer engaging in physical activities over thinking.
  2. I find mental tasks less enjoyable than other activities.
  3. I enjoy activities that don't require much thought.
  4. I prefer relaxing and unwinding without deep thinking.
4.

I would rather do something that requires little thought than something that is sure to challenge my thinking abilities.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
5.

I try to anticipate and avoid situations where there is likely a chance I will have to think in depth about something.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
6.

I find satisfaction in deliberating hard and for long hours.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
7.

I only think as hard as I have to.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
8.

I prefer to think about small, daily projects to long-term ones.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
9.

I like tasks that require little thought once I’ve learned them.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
10.

The idea of relying on thought to make my way to the top appeals to me.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
11.

I really enjoy a task that involves coming up with new solutions to problems.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Agree
  3. Neutral
  4. Disagree
  5. Strongly disagree
12.

Learning new ways to think doesn’t excite me very much.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
13.

I prefer my life to be filled with puzzles that I must solve.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
14.

The notion of thinking abstractly is appealing to me.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
15.

I would prefer a task that is intellectual, difficult, and important to one that is somewhat important but does not require much thought.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
16.

I feel relief rather than satisfaction after completing a task that required a lot of mental effort.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
17.

It’s enough for me that something gets the job done; I don’t care how or why it works.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement
18.

I usually end up deliberating about issues even when they do not affect me personally.

The answer should be a single choice:
  1. very strong agreement
  2. strong agreement
  3. moderate agreement
  4. slight agreement
  5. neither agreement nor disagreement
  6. slight disagreement
  7. moderate disagreement
  8. strong disagreement
  9. very strong disagreement

Scales Similar to Need for Cognition Scale

  • Cognitive Engagement Inventory
  • Curiosity Scale
  • Thinking Style Inventory
  • Intellectual Curiosity Scale
  • Cognitive Reflection Test
  • Cognitive Flexibility Scale

Here are some FAQs and additional information
on
Need for Cognition Scale

What is the Need for Cognition Scale?

The Need for Cognition Scale is a psychological measurement tool used to assess an individual's tendency to engage in and enjoy effortful cognitive activities.

How is the Need for Cognition Scale scored?

The Need for Cognition Scale is typically scored by adding up the responses to a series of statements about cognitive engagement and preference for thinking.

What does a high score on the Need for Cognition Scale indicate?

A high score on the Need for Cognition Scale suggests that an individual is more inclined to engage in and enjoy complex thinking and problem-solving tasks.

Is the Need for Cognition Scale a reliable measure of cognitive engagement?

Yes, the Need for Cognition Scale has been extensively validated and is considered a reliable measure of individual differences in cognitive engagement.

Want to use this template?

Testimonials

G2 BadgesG2 BadgesG2 BadgesG2 BadgesG2 Badges

What's next? Try out templates like
Need for Cognition Scale

1000+ Templates, 50+ Categories

Want to create secure online forms and surveys?

Join BlockSurvey.

About Us

BlockSurvey is a privacy-focused platform for collecting data through forms, surveys, assessments, and quizzes. The data collection is end-to-end encrypted, and it ensures complete privacy of your audience from Big Tech. With an array of ready to use templates, it is tailored for the needs of businesses and individuals from Web 3, HR, Mental Health, Sexual Health, Activism and many sensitive areas where data collection needs protection.

SHARE