In collaboration with Payame Noor University and Iranian Association of Social Psychology

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Professor in Psychology, Payame Noor University

2 Assistant Professor in Educational Science, Payame Noor Universi

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to examine the psychometric features (validity and reliability) of the short form of Need for Cognition Scale (NFS) in high school students. Method: For this purpose, 392 students (168 male and 224 female) of Shiraz high schools were selected by multistage cluster sampling method. They responded to the self-report need for cognition scale developed by Cacciopo et al. To assess the construct validity of this scale, confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency were used. Moreover, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to evaluate the reliability of the scale. Results: Generally, the goodness of fit characteristics of the confirmatory factor analysis model indicated a good fit of the data with factor structure of the need for cognition scale. Also, internal consistency method indicated the construct validity of the scale and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient indicated the stability of the measurement of the scale. Conclusion:  Based on these results, one can use the need for cognition scale developed by Cacciopo et al. as an acceptable measurement tool to study high school students.

Keywords

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