Thinking about thinking : A study of anxiety, neuroticism and Need for Cognition.
Abstract: Previous studies have shown that the FFM factor neuroticism was negatively correlated with Need for Cognition. Anxiety has been shown to be highly correlated with neuroticism. It has also been shown that women tend to score higher on both neuroticism and anxiety. Need for Cognition has been shown to predict long term academic success. This study aims to contribute to the current understanding of anxiety, neuroticism and Need for Cognition by examining these three constructs together. The study will also analyzes how gender can affect the relationships between the constructs. 272 participants responded to three questionnaires measuring the constructs. 86 were men, 183 were women and 3 defined themselves as "other". 246 of the respondents were university students and 26 responded did not currently study at university. Results indicate that anxiety is a negative predictor for Need for Cognition. This is speculated to be because anxiety has an effect on working memory which in turn is associated with Need for Cognition. Gender differences are significant regarding all three constructs. Findings are complicated by a negative suppressor effect. Results, limitations, and future research are discussed.
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