Curiosity in Children and Adolescents <subtitle>Data From the Polish Adaptation of the Need for Cognition Scale</subtitle>

Abstract

Abstract. This research presents data on the Polish adaptation of the Need for Cognition Scale for Children and Adolescents (Keller et al., 2016; Preckel & Strobel, 2017). Two samples of children, mostly from Grade 6 of primary school, were recruited (N1 > 1,001, N2 > 433), as well as one sample of 130 child–parent pairs. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the nested factor structure suggested in previous studies (Keller et al., 2016) is also replicated in the Polish sample. Scalar measurement invariance with regard to gender has been demonstrated. Scale scores show convergent and discriminant validity with learning/performance goals as well as traits from the Big Five Questionnaire for Children (Cieciuch et al., 2016). Criterion-related validity with measures of leisure time interests in popular science, identification with science, and objectified cultural family capital is shown. Data confirm that the Polish version of the scale is suitable for use; nonetheless, some possible revisions of the scale are also discussed.

Keywords

• need for cognition
• investment traits
• learning goals
• Big Five