The Role of the Need for Cognitive Closure in Implicit and Explicit Rule Learning

Abstract

Two studies investigated the role of the need for cognitive closure in implicit and explicit rule learning. I generally hypothesized the existence of a relationship between the need for closure (NFC) and the learning of rules moderated by the type of learning, implicit versus explicit, occurring (Hypothesis 1). More specifically, I predicted that high (vs. low) NFC would predict better performance on an explicit rule learning task (Hypothesis 2) but worse performance on an implicit rule learning task (Hypothesis 3). I tested these hypotheses both by measuring the NFC as a stable, dispositional trait variable (Study 1) and manipulating it as a transient state variable (Study 2). The findings of Study 1 provide support for Hypotheses 1 and 2 but not Hypothesis 3. The findings of Study 2 provide support for Hypothesis 3 but not Hypotheses 1 and 2.