Dogmatism and predecisional information search

Abstract

Rokeach's Dogmatism Scale and 4 decision measures of tendencies to reserve judgment were administered to 72 freshmen women. A significant negative relationship was found between dogmatism and each of the 4 decision measures. The nondogmatic individual tended to delay decision and engage in predecisional search, to require more time for psychophysical judgments, and to respond "don't know" to statements of opinion under conditions of inadequate information. Accordingly, dogmatism was interpreted as a defense mechanism which interferes with processing of predecisional information. (16 ref.) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)