Need for cognition relates to low-level visual performance in a metacontrast masking paradigm.

Need for cognition (NFC) refers to dispositional differences in cognitive motivation and has been frequently found to predict higher-order cognition, such as attitude formation and decision making. Based on recent evidence, this study examined whether NFC already relates to relatively early perceptual processes. Using a metacontrast masking paradigm (N = 137), we found that high-NFC individuals were more likely to use target-specific perceptual cues providing valid information for target discrimination, while low-NFC individuals were more likely to use less reliable heuristic cues for their judgement. Intriguingly, our results suggest that core mechanisms of NFC (focussed/elaborative vs. peripheral/heuristic processing by differential utilization of environmental cues) can not only be found in reflective higher-order cognition, but similarly in behavioral indicators of early visual processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Accession Number: 2014-00795-005. Partial author list: First Author & Affiliation: Fleischhauer, Monika; Department of Psychology, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany. Release Date: 20140414. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Electronic. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: English. Major Descriptor: Decision Making; Motivation; Need for Cognition; Visual Masking; Visual Perception. Classification: Visual Perception (2323). Population: Human (10); Male (30); Female (40). Location: Germany. Age Group: Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300); Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs) (320); Thirties (30-39 yrs) (340). Tests & Measures: Need For Cognition Questionnaire-German Version; Metacontrast Task. Methodology: Empirical Study; Quantitative Study. Supplemental Data: Tables and Figures Internet. References Available: Y. Page Count: 6. Issue Publication Date: Feb, 2014. Publication History: First Posted Date: Sep 29, 2013. Copyright Statement: All rights reserved. Elsevier Inc. 2013.