scholarly journals Relations between Executive Functions, Theory of Mind, and Functional Outcomes in Middle Childhood

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Jennifer Wilson ◽  
Christy Hogan ◽  
Si Wang ◽  
Glenda Andrews ◽  
David H. K. Shum
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Functional Outcomes

The Mediating Effect of Language on the Development of Cognitive and Affective Theory of Mind

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felicity J Bigelow ◽  
Gillian M Clark ◽  
Jarrad Lum ◽  
Peter Gregory Enticott
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Language Assessments ◽  
Empathic Ability ◽  
The Relationship

Theory of mind (ToM) development is critical to effective social functioning and appears to depend on complementary language abilities. The current study explored the mediating influence of language on the development of cognitive and affective ToM. 151 children aged between 5-12 years completed ToM (cognitive and affective) and language assessments, and parents provided ratings of their child’s empathic ability. Results showed that language mediated the relationship between age and both cognitive and affective ToM, but not parent-reported cognitive empathy. Examination of younger and older subgroups revealed that language mediated cognitive and affective ToM differently across developmental periods. Findings highlight the dynamic role that language plays in the development of both cognitive and affective ToM throughout early and middle childhood.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Executive Functions and Intelligence in the ABCD Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M Freis ◽  
Claire Morrison ◽  
Jeffrey M. Lessem ◽  
John K. Hewitt ◽  
Naomi P. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Twin Studies

Executive functions (EFs) and intelligence (IQ) are phenotypically correlated and heritable; however, they show variable genetic correlations in twin studies spanning childhood to middle age. We analyzed data from over 11,000 children (9-10-year-olds, including 749 twin pairs) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study to examine the phenotypic and genetic relations between EFs and IQ in childhood. We identified two EF factors – Common EF and Updating-Specific, which were both related to IQ (rs = .64-.81). Common EF and IQ were heritable (53-67%), and their genetic correlation (rG = .86) was not significantly different than 1. These results suggest that EFs and IQ are phenotypically but not genetically separable in middle childhood.

Depressive Traits and Theory of Mind in Healthy Individuals: A Mediation Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas James Rowark
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Prepotent Response

Depression has been associated with poor social cognitive functioning, including impaired performance on measures of theory of mind. However, the association between depression and theory of mind performance has been removed when controlling for differences in executive functioning, which is also impacted by depression. Among these executive functions, inhibition of prepotent response has been demonstrated as enabling success on theory of mind tests. In the context of these findings, the current investigation tested whether a relationship could be found between depressive traits and theory of mind in a non-clinical sample, and whether this relationship was mediated by differences in executive control of inhibition. Theory of mind was assessed in 31 healthy individuals using an audio-presented false-belief reasoning task, which also tested baseline performance in non-mental-state reasoning. Inhibition of prepotent response was assessed with interference measures on a Stroop colour-word task, and depressive traits were self-reported through the second version of the Beck Depression Inventory. Mediation analysis revealed that executive control of inhibition did not significantly mediate an indirect effect of depressive traits on theory of mind. It was interpreted that relationships previously found between major depression, executive and social-cognitive functions do not generalise beyond clinical boundaries. However, these findings are discussed in terms of the small sample size, limiting statistical power, and several methodological limitations. Future research should assess the relationship between depressive traits and theory of mind using alternative measures of mental representation, or include a neurocognitive battery assessing executive functions other than inhibition.

scholarly journals Genetic and environmental influences on executive functions and intelligence in middle childhood

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M. Freis ◽  
Claire L. Morrison ◽  
Jeffrey M. Lessem ◽  
John K. Hewitt ◽  
Naomi P. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Environmental Influences

scholarly journals The role of executive functions in older adults’ affective theory of mind

2021 ◽  
pp. 104513
Author(s):  
Yuki Otsuka ◽  
Miho Shizawa ◽  
Ayumi Sato ◽  
Shoji Itakura
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions

Computerized LEXTOMM Battery (Language, EXecutive functions, Theory Of Mind, episodic Memory)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Perrone-Bertolotti ◽  
Lucile Meunier ◽  
Christine Bulteau ◽  
Anna Borne ◽  
Samuel El Bouzaïdi Tiali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Declarative Memory ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Auditory Modality ◽  
Executive Processes ◽  
Memory Switching

We present a computerize battery constructed to evaluate behavioral performances for language, declarative memory, executive functions and social cognition abilities. This battery was created to evaluate cognitive outcomes in adults who underwent hemispherotomy as a clinical treatment of Rasmussen Encephalitis (RE) in their childhood and have been tested in a group of healthy participants (n= 88). LEXTOMM battery can be used for cognitive assessment of any type of population and allow the collection of behavioral performances in terms of accuracy and reaction times. LEXTOMM battery is composed of six language tasks allowing to assess six different linguistic abilities such as lexical storage, semantics, phonology, syntax, prosody perception and production. Different input modalities are proposed for these tasks (picture, written and auditory modality). A specific task allowing the assessment of the language generation and declarative memory interaction is also proposed. The battery also included a visual control categorization task is proposed in order to assess decision-making baseline. Moreover, LEXTOMM also includes four tasks allowing the assessment of the executive functions. More specifically we included tasks allowing the evaluation of four executive processes: updating in working memory, switching/flexibility, sustained attention and inhibition. Finally, the battery includes a theory of mind abilities task. All tasks were developed using the E-Prime 3.0 software (E-Prime Psychology Software Tools Inc., Pittsburgh, USA), running on a PC. Before each task, a training session is included, with several stimuli that differ from those presented during the experiment. This training allows participants to understand the instructions and get familiarized with each task. Hereafter, we describe the procedures and tasks included in LEXTOMM, in the following order: low-level visual categorization, language, language in interaction with declarative memory, executive functions and social cognition/theory of mind.

scholarly journals More alike than different: Novel methods for measuring and modeling executive function development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Younger ◽  
Kristine O'Laughlin ◽  
Joaquin Anguera ◽  
Silvia Bunge ◽  
Emilio Ferrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Analytic Approach ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Novel Methods ◽  
Students Success ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Longitudinal Dataset

Abstract Executive functions (EFs) are linked to positive outcomes across the lifespan. Yet, methodological challenges have prevented rigorous understanding of the precise ways EFs are organized in childhood and how they develop over time. We introduce novel methods to address these challenges for both measuring and modeling EFs using a large, accelerated longitudinal dataset from a diverse sample of students in middle childhood (approximately ages 8 to 14; N = 1,286). Adaptive assessments allowed us to equate EF challenge across ages and a data-driven, network analytic approach revealed the evolving diversity of EFs while accounting for their unity. Our results suggest EF organization stabilizes around age 10, but continues refining through at least age 14. This approach brings new precision to EFs’ development by removing interpretative ambiguities associated with previous methodologies. By improving EF measurement, the field can move towards improving EF training, to provide a strong foundation for students’ success.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document