First Name:
Sarah
Last Name:
Pollard
Major Department:
Psychology
Thesis Director:
Todd McElroy
Date of Thesis:
May 2011
Need-for-cognition reflects an individual's predisposition to participate in and enjoy effortful cognitive activities. Although need-for-cognition has been widely investigated, research has not investigated whether an individual's level of need-for-cognition may influence his or her everyday physical activity levels. In the current study this question is investigated and two alternative hypotheses are put forth. It is predicted that, because they are more involved in cognitive activities, high need-for-cognition individuals are also less involved in physical activities. Alternatively, it is also proposed that higher need-for-cognition levels simply translate into higher overall activity levels. The study had 37 high and 20 low, need-for-cognition participants who were undergraduates at Appalachian State University. The participants' activity levels were monitored and recorded for seven days using an actiwatch device. Subsequent analysis revealed marginally significant support for the hypothesis that, because they are more involved in cognitive activities, high need-for-cognition individuals are less involved in physical activities.