Validation of the italian version of the need for cognition scale – short version

This research aims at providing an Italian validation of the Need for Cognition Scale – Short Version (NCS). This instrument measures individual differences in the motivation to enjoy effortful cognitive activities. NCS was administered to 508 students, equally distributed by gender (Mean age = 20.78; SD = 1.75). The Italian version of the scale, translated and adapted from the original version, is composed of 18 items on a 7-point Likert scale. An exploratory factorial analysis (Random split sample = 254) and a confirmatory factorial analysis (Random split sample = 254) proved that the scale had two correlated factors measuring two different kind of motivations (approach and avoidance of effortful cognitive activities). Results also indicated that the NCS had good reliability indices and satisfactory discriminant and convergent validity. Thanks to its good psychometric properties, the NCS has been proven to be a reliable tool in both educational and research areas.