The relationship between need for closure and memory for schema-related information among younger and older adults

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to examine the relationships among need for closure (NFC) and schematic information processing in younger and older adults. The results show increased NFC to be associated with less schematic processing (i.e., less memory for schema-consistent items, and more memory for schema-irrelevant items, out of all items memorized correctly), among older than younger adults. The findings of the studies are interpreted as demonstrating the age-associated deficit in information processing consistent with the level of NFC. Moreover, the results indicate that positive mood may play a role in facilitating information processing consistent with the level of NFC among older and younger adults. Finally, we present a framework for predicting when older adults will and will not effectively use schematic processing, considered a compensatory strategy for decline in cognitive abilities.

The Motivated Gatekeeper of Our Minds

“…The results of these studies suggest that such situational interventions appropriately moderate the effects of NFC on different manifestations of heuristic processing. In particular, manipulations of positive mood or empowerment (Kossowska & Bar-Tal, 2013b;Kossowska, Jaśko, Bar-Tal, & Szastok, 2012, Study 2) increased participants' (perceived) ability to attain closure and, therefore, strengthened the positive association between NFC and heuristic processing. Conversely, manipulations of self-image threat (Kossowska, Bukowski, & Guinote, 2013) or decreased cognitive control (Otten & Bar-Tal, 2002;Kossowska, Dragon, & Bukowski, 2015) lowered participants' ability to attain closure and, therefore, resulted in high NFC being associated with less, rather than more, heuristic processing.…”

“…For people who expect to fail because of a low AAC, NFC tended to be associated with more complex and timeconsuming decision making. Along similar lines, Kossowska and colleagues Kossowska, Jaśko, Bar-Tal, & Szastok, 2012) proposed that high levels of NFC in elderly respondents (see also, Cornelis, Van Hiel, Roets, & Kossowska, 2009;Sedek, Kossowska, & Rydzewska, 2014) do not always result in the same closure behavior found with young respondents (e.g., improved recall for consistent information), because the ability to achieve such closure may become insufficient with increased age.…”

Differences in negativity bias underlie variations in political ideology

“…In this specific context, the model proposed by Hibbing et al may be true: Ideological beliefs may be related to negative emotions as the source of the need for closure, whereas feelings of uncertainty and ambiguity are related to ideological beliefs. However, as older adults are mainly motivated to seek closure, they may also search more for positive rather than negative information because being in a positive mood allows them to successfully achieve closure (Kossowska et al 2012). Thus, although the need for closure (and ideological beliefs) may be related to negative emotions, positive emotional states allow older adults to achieve closure and reduce uncertainty.…”

Mathematics Anxiety and Other Psycho Didactic Aspects in University Students

“…The UPV students showed lower need for structure. We assume that this is related to the fact that the effects of need for structure vary by age (Kossowska et al, 2012).…”