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The relation between Self-Control, Need for Cognition and Action Orientation in secondary school students: A
Jonne Colling1, Rachel Wollschläger1, Ulrich Keller1
1Faculty of Humanities, Luxembourg Centre for Educational Testing (LUCET), Education and Social Sciences, University of Luxembourg, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
Plos One
|June 9, 2023
Summary
Adolescents with a greater tendency to think (Need for Cognition) and act decisively (Action Orientation) exhibit better Self-Control. Action Orientation also influences how strongly Need for Cognition predicts Self-Control.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Self-Control is crucial for a healthy and successful life.
- Previous research linked Need for Cognition and Action Orientation to Self-Control in university students.
- Adolescence is a key developmental period for Self-Control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conceptually replicate and extend findings on Self-Control, Need for Cognition, and Action Orientation in adolescents.
- To investigate the predictive and mediating roles of Need for Cognition and Action Orientation on Self-Control.
- To examine the moderating role of Action Orientation in the Need for Cognition-Self-Control relationship.
Main Methods:
- A conceptual replication study involving 892 9th-grade students.
- Investigated the interrelations between Self-Control, Need for Cognition, and Action Orientation.
- Statistical analyses to assess predictive, mediating, and moderating effects.
Main Results:
- Need for Cognition and Action Orientation were confirmed as predictors of Self-Control in adolescents.
- Action Orientation partially mediated the relationship between Need for Cognition and Self-Control.
- Action Orientation moderated the Need for Cognition-Self-Control link, with a stronger effect in action-oriented individuals.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the importance of Need for Cognition and Action Orientation for Self-Control development in adolescence.
- Action Orientation plays a dual role, both mediating and moderating the influence of Need for Cognition on Self-Control.
- These cognitive and behavioral mechanisms are vital for successful Self-Control exertion during a critical life stage.
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