Need for cognition does not account for individual differences in metacontrol of decision making

Humans show metacontrol of decision-making towards different reward magnitudes. Specifically, when higher rewards are at stake, individuals increase reliance on a more accurate but cognitively effortful strategy. We investigated whether the personality trait Need for Cognition (NFC) explains individual differences in metacontrol. Based on findings of cognitive effort expenditure in executive functions, we expected more metacontrol in individuals low in NFC. In two independent studies, metacontrol was assessed by means of a decision-making task that dissociates different reinforcement-learning strategies. In contrast to our expectations, NFC did not account for individual differences in metacontrol of decision making. These findings suggest a differential role of NFC for the regulation of cognitive effort in decision making and executive functions.