*연구과제명: Seizing and freezing to life outcomes: Need for cognitive closure intensifes afective reactions to major events
-연구 기관: 위스콘신대학교 매디슨 캠퍼스 심리학과, 위스콘신대학교 매디슨 캠퍼스 노인학 연구소, 서울대학교 심리학과, 서울대학교 행복연구센터 (연구팀)
-저자: Seung Eun Cha, Xyle Ku, Soeun Sarah Lee, Incheol Choi
Abstract
Research shows that signifcant well-being disparities emerge between individuals who experience major negative events and those who undergo major positive events. However, such diferences may vary among individuals. Drawing from the theory of the need for cognitive closure (NFC), we theorize and test whether NFC, which captures seizing and freezing on salient information to reach a fast conclusion, intensifes the diferences in afective well-being between those who experi- ence negative or positive events. Across three studies (total N = 2,399), we provide converging evidence that supports our theoretical claim. We frst found that participants with high (vs. low) NFC show a greater afective well-being gap between those who recalled their past negative and positive major events (Study 1). We also discovered consistent patterns when participants were provided with negative or positive major event scenarios (Study 2). Lastly, we further substantiated our fndings by utilizing a longitudinal study of the 20th presidential election in South Korea (Study 3). Over a 6-week period, the well-being gaps between the supporters of the election winner and the runner-up were more pronounced among individu- als with higher NFC. Overall, our fndings have implications for identifying a novel psychological trait that infuences the afective well-being gaps following signifcant events in one’s life.
Keywords Major events · Need for cognitive closure · Afective well-being · Longitudinal study · Moderation
*연구과제명: Seizing and freezing to life outcomes: Need for cognitive closure intensifes afective reactions to major events
-연구 기관: 위스콘신대학교 매디슨 캠퍼스 심리학과, 위스콘신대학교 매디슨 캠퍼스 노인학 연구소, 서울대학교 심리학과, 서울대학교 행복연구센터 (연구팀)
-저자: Seung Eun Cha, Xyle Ku, Soeun Sarah Lee, Incheol Choi
Abstract
Research shows that signifcant well-being disparities emerge between individuals who experience major negative events and those who undergo major positive events. However, such diferences may vary among individuals. Drawing from the theory of the need for cognitive closure (NFC), we theorize and test whether NFC, which captures seizing and freezing on salient information to reach a fast conclusion, intensifes the diferences in afective well-being between those who experi- ence negative or positive events. Across three studies (total N = 2,399), we provide converging evidence that supports our theoretical claim. We frst found that participants with high (vs. low) NFC show a greater afective well-being gap between those who recalled their past negative and positive major events (Study 1). We also discovered consistent patterns when participants were provided with negative or positive major event scenarios (Study 2). Lastly, we further substantiated our fndings by utilizing a longitudinal study of the 20th presidential election in South Korea (Study 3). Over a 6-week period, the well-being gaps between the supporters of the election winner and the runner-up were more pronounced among individu- als with higher NFC. Overall, our fndings have implications for identifying a novel psychological trait that infuences the afective well-being gaps following signifcant events in one’s life.
Keywords Major events · Need for cognitive closure · Afective well-being · Longitudinal study · Moderation