need for cognition

a personality trait reflecting a person’s tendency to enjoy engaging in extensive cognitive activity. This trait primarily reflects a person’s motivation to engage in cognitive activity rather than his or her actual ability to do so. Individuals high in need for cognition tend to develop attitudes or take action based on thoughtful evaluation of information. [originally investigated by U.S. psychologists John T. Cacioppo (1951– ) and Richard E. Petty (1951– )]

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Psychology term of the day

March 11th 2025

transfer

1. vb. to shift or change from one location to another, one form to another, or one situation or condition to another.

2. n. the shift or change thus produced, as in transfer of training.

3. n. in Gestalt psychology, the use of the solution to one problem in solving a second problem that has elements in common with the first.