The Effects of Cognitive Distortions on the Need for Cognitive Closure and Decision-Making Styles

Zozan Babalitaş; Kübra Çelik

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1783494

The Effects of Cognitive Distortions on the Need for Cognitive Closure and Decision-Making Styles

Abstract

Purpose: Irrational and dysfunctional thoughts known as cognitive distortions influence a variety of cognitive functions, including decision-making. It is unclear how they affect the demand for cognitive closure, a recent idea in neuropsychology. The main purpose of this study is to investigate how cognitive distortions impact decision-making and the necessity of cognitive closure. Methods: A total of 319 participants, 103 males and 216 women, participated in the study. A demographic information form, the Need for Closure Scale-Short Form (NFC-SF), The Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire I-II (MDMQ I-II), and the Cognitive Distortion Scale (CDS) were used to collect the research data. Results: Statistical analyses demonstrated that cognitive distortions had a substantial impact on procrastination, avoidance, panic, self-esteem in decision-making styles and the need for cognitive closure (p<0.05). There were notable gender differences in the demand for cognitive closure, panic decision-making, and self-esteem in decision-making (p<0.05). Education levels and self-esteem in decision-making had a positive correlation, while it was correlated negatively with avoidant decision-making (p<0.05). The 18–25 age group exhibited significantly higher levels of cognitive distortions, avoidant, procrastinatory, and panicked decision-making, whereas the 40–65 age group exhibited the highest levels of self-esteem in decision-making (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings exhibited how cognitive distortions affect the need for cognitive closure and decision-making styles in adults. Therefore, this study brings scientific contributions to neuropsychology research and cognitive sciences.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study was conducted between July and November 2024 after receiving approval from the Haliç University Social and Human Sciences Research Ethics Committee (06/10.07.2024)

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychiatry , Neurosciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Zozan Babalitaş
0009-0003-4346-5801
Türkiye

Kübra Çelik ^*
0000-0002-0161-6179
Türkiye

Publication Date

February 19, 2026

Submission Date

September 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: January, February, March 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1783494

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA97HH57BT

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Babalitaş Z, Çelik K (February 1, 2026) The Effects of Cognitive Distortions on the Need for Cognitive Closure and Decision-Making Styles. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 January, February, March 2026