1.    Need forCognition (NC) is a theoretical construct that was introduced as adispositional drive to seek out intellectual challenge. It is presumed toindicate stable individual differences in the basic motivation to participatein and enjoy effortful cognitive endeavors such as those involved in abstractthinking and problem solving. The goal of the research article was to explore whetherthe meaning of Need for Cognition (NC) was the same at different periods ofadulthood and to investigate the meaning of NC across ages. To understand themeaning of NC across ages, the article explored both the internal and externalrelations. With respect to internal relations, it is not known whether thedimensionality of the NC scale is similar at various periods of adulthood.

  Internal relations were considered withmeasures of reliability, examination of factor invariance and test retestcoefficients across three age groups. With respect to external relations, correlations of NC with othermeasures were examined to determine whether the pattern of correlates differedas a function of age. External relations were investigated by examiningrelations of NC with cognitive abilities, personality traits, engagement inactivities, self-rate cognition and negative affect. The research article wasspecifically interested in evidence of differential relations at different agesin the form of interactions of age with external variables in the prediction ofNC.

Cognitive test were used to evaluate inductive reasoning with tests ofreasoning and spatial visualization, vocabulary, Episodic memory with verbalmemory tests and Perceptual Speed with substitution and comparison tests.Participants reported the number of hours spent doing an activity using theActivity Inventory. Personality Inventory were completed by participants as wellto estimate the five personality traits. Cognitive complaints were assessed andspecific memory problems were computed from the MFQ.