認知需求的概念與測量

THE CONCEPT AND MEASURE OF NEED FOR COGNITION

認知需求指的是個人從事費心的認知活動時之內在動機。為發展適合國人使用的認知需求測量工具，本研究以Cacioppo，Petty和Kao（1984）編製的認知需求量表十八題短題本為藍本進行修訂。研究對象包括北區高中及大學生共1195人。結果顯示修訂後的中文認知需求量表具有相當高的內部一致性和再測信度。因素分析的結果亦顯示本量表含有一個主要因素。認知需求和其他變項間的相關顯示本量表具有輻合和區別效度。認知需求與個我取向成就動機明顯有關，而與考試焦慮、內外控、或社會技巧等的關聯性較低。另外，本研究發現高認知需求者果然較有可能從事知識性的休閒活動和花較多的時問在閱讀報章雜誌，而花較少的時間在看電視。這些結果都支持本量表的建構效度。總之，本研究修訂的中文認知需求量表，應是適合我國高中及大學生使用的良好測量工具。

Need for cognition refers to intrinsic motivation to engage in effortful cognitive endeavors. To develop a Chinese version of this measure, the short form of the Need for Cognition Scale (Cacioppo, Petty, & Kao, 1984) and other measures were administered to 1195 high school and college students. The results showed that the scale had adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In addition, a factor analysis yielded one major factor. The pattern of correlations between need for cognition and other constructs demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity of the scale. As predicted, need for cognition was moderately related to individual-oriented achievement motivation, but it was weakly related to test anxiety, internal-external locus of control, or social skills. Additional support for the construct validity of the scale was obtained. Subjects high in need for cognition were more likely to engage in the intellectual type of leisure activities, and reported spending more time in reading newspapers and magazines, but spending less time in watching television. The results provide support for the validity and usefulness of the Chinese version of the short form of the Need for Cognition Scale.