Ricerc@Sapienza

Two studies were conducted to verify whether individuals who are high on need for cognitive closure (NFC) have a greater preference for consistency. NFC represents a personal aversion toward uncertainty that induces a desire for certain knowledge, order, and structure. As suggested by a recent theory and research on cognitive consistency, individuals who are high on NFC are uncomfortable with inconsistent information that can undermine their desire for certain knowledge. On the other hand, these individuals should prefer consistent information that can preserve epistemic certainty.

From the 1950s onward, psychologists have generally assumed that people possess a general need for cognitive consistency, whose frustration by an inconsistency elicits negative affect. We offer a novel perspective on this issue by introducing the distinction between epistemic and motivational impact of consistent and inconsistent cognitions. The epistemic aspect is represented by the updated expectancy of the outcome addressed in such cognitions. The motivational aspect stems from value (desirability) of that outcome.

A unique advantage of Psychological Inquiry’s format is that it encourages a free exchange of ideas allowing authors to “drill down” on points of disagreement and clarify possible misunderstandings. This is particularly helpful where an article asks its readers, as we do here, to revisit fundamental assumptions and reconsider widely accepted views. We are delighted at the opportunity to address the commentaries on our target article and explore the issues that they raise.