Abstract:
This study sought to explore the relationship between critical thinking disposition and need for cognition. As instructors and researchers work to enhance student's critical thinking when faced with problems, it may be the case that their internal need for cognition may affect how they are disposed to critically think. Four leadership classes, each at a different institution, were administered the UF--EMI (critical thinking disposition inventory) and the Need For Cognition (NFC) scale to examine correlations. Findings indicated that there was a moderate relationship between these psychometric constructs. While the literature shows a gap in this area of research, this study provides a base line finding that critical thinking and need for cognition are in fact related. Institutional differences were also examined and findings indicated that one institution had lower critical thinking disposition and need for cognition scores which may stem from demographic variables. The authors call for more research to examine relationships between critical thinking disposition and other attitudinal instruments to bring greater understanding to these constructs.
Keywords:
critical thinking, leadership courses, cognition
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