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I Choose to Opt-Out of Answering: Individual Differences in Giving Up Behaviour on Cognitive Tests

Authors :
Marvin K. H. Law
Lazar Stankov
Sabina Kleitman
Source :
Journal of Intelligence, Vol 10, Iss 4, p 86 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Under the Meta-reasoning model, the process of giving up when a solution may not be feasible reflects an adaptive metacognitive strategy, where individuals opt-out of responding to mitigate error and resource costs. However, research is still needed to determine whether individuals systematically vary in this behaviour and if so, which variables it meaningfully relates with. The current study (N = 176) is the first to examine factorial stability in giving up tendencies and its relationships with on-task confidence, cognitive ability, decision-making predispositions, and academic performance. To measure giving up tendencies, participants completed three cognitive tests which allowed for opting out, thereby capturing giving up frequency within each test and its consistency across tests. Participants also completed five other cognitive tasks embedded with confidence ratings, and a decision-making styles questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on all giving up, confidence, and accuracy variables, with a three-factor solution having the best fit (containing a giving up factor, confidence factor, and cognitive ability factor). Supporting the proposed adaptive nature of giving up tendencies, the giving up factor correlated positively with cognitive ability, rational decision making, and academic performance. This research establishes factorial stability in giving up tendencies and provides a foundation for further investigation into its role within Meta-reasoning theory.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20793200
Volume :
10
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Intelligence
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.b7a5acce25d449a8bb1aec2719b2ed5b
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence10040086