Unraveling Uncertainty: Exploring Cognitive Closure, Information Processing, and the Multifaceted Nature of Certainty Motivation in the Tapestry of Beliefs and Ideologies

Abstract

In this paper dedicated to our esteemed colleagues Lucia Mannetti, we will delve into the connection between uncertainty, particularly as it manifests in the need for cognitive closure, and its influence on cognitive functioning, social perspectives, and ideologies. The paper will commence by providing a definition of uncertainty and then delve into the cognitive coping strategies employed to alleviate its impact. Additionally, we will incorporate empirical findings demonstrating that the experience of uncertainty does not always lead to simplistic and biased information processing. Departing from conventional research paradigms, we will underscore instances where individuals, driven by a desire for certainty, engage in nuanced, contemplative, and receptive information processing. The paper will also examine the strategies employed to navigate uncertainty through the beliefs, worldviews, and ideologies adopted by individuals. We believe this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on how human psychology interacts with socio-cultural dynamics, a dialogue in which Lucia Mannetti has long been actively engaged.