Predictive Value of Traditional Measures of Executive Function on Broad Abilities of the Cattell–Horn–Carroll Theory of Cognitive Abilities

The neuropsychological construct of executive functions (EFs), and the psychometric Cattell–Horn–Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities are both approaches that attempt to describe cognitive functioning. The coherence between EF and CHC abilities has been mainly studied using factor-analytical techniques. Through multivariate regression analysis, the current study now assesses the integration of these latent constructs in clinical assessment. The predictive power of six widely used executive tasks on five CHC measures (crystallized and fluid intelligence, visual processing, short-term memory, and processing speed) is examined. Results indicate that executive tasks—except for the Stroop and the Tower of London—predict overall performance on the intelligence tests. Differentiation in predicting performance between the CHC abilities is limited, due to a high shared variance between these abilities. It is concluded that executive processes such as planning and inhibition have a unique variance that is not well-represented in intelligence tests. Implications for the use of EF tests and operationalization of CHC measures in clinical practice are discussed.

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The Four- vs. Alternative Six-Factor Structure of the French WISC-IV

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185/a000026 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 69 (4) ◽

pp. 221-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Thierry Lecerf ◽

Jérôme Rossier ◽

Nicolas Favez ◽

Isabelle Reverte ◽

Laurence Coleaux

Keyword(s):

Processing Speed ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Chc Theory ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽

Model Based ◽

Technical Manual ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Perceptual Reasoning

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses reported in the French technical manual of the WISC-IV provides evidence supporting a structure with four indices: Verbal Comprehension (VCI), Perceptual Reasoning (PRI), Working Memory (WMI), and Processing Speed (PSI). Although the WISC-IV is more attuned to contemporary theory, it is still not in total accordance with the dominant theory: the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive ability. This study was designed to determine whether the French WISC-IV is better described with the four-factor solution or whether an alternative model based on the CHC theory is more appropriate. The intercorrelations matrix reported in the French technical manual was submitted to confirmatory factor analysis. A comparison of competing models suggests that a model based on the CHC theory fits the data better than the current WISC-IV structure. It appears that the French WISC-IV in fact measures six factors: crystallized intelligence (Gc), fluid intelligence (Gf), short-term memory (Gsm), processing speed (Gs), quantitative knowledge (Gq), and visual processing (Gv). We recommend that clinicians interpret the subtests of the French WISC-IV in relation to this CHC model in addition to the four indices.

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BAT-7, BATERÍA DE APTITUDES DE TEA: DESCRIPCIÓN Y DATOS PSICOMÉTRICOS

International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología ◽

10.17060/ijodaep.2014.n1.v2.450 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 353

Author(s):

Fernando Sánchez Sánchez ◽

David Arribas Águila

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

Model Fitting ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Educational Background ◽

General Factor ◽

Chc Theory ◽

Crystallized Intelligence ◽

General Ability ◽

Factor G

Abstract:BAT-7, TEA ABILITIES BATTERY: DESCRIPTION AND PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIESBAT-7 is a new psychometric tool for assessing three intellectual domains, general factor (g), fluid intelligence (Gf) and crystallized intelligence (Gc), and eight cognitive abilities: Verbal (V), Spatial (E), Attention (A) and Concentration (CON), Reasoning (R), Numerical (N), Mechanical (M) and Orthography (O). It consists of three forms of increasing difficulty (E, M and S) and it is focused on the assessment of school and college students, as well as adults with different educational background. The present study aims to provide a description of the BAT-7 development and the main features of it, and a summary of its psychometric properties, mainly its reliability and validity. BAT-7 was administered to a Spanish standardization sample of 4,263 students (age between 12 and 18) and 1,507 adults. Reliability was studied with ordinal alpha, Cronbach’s alpha and tests information functions. Validity was explored by multigroup CFA. 3P IRT model showed a statistical fit for all items. Ordinal alpha ranged from .79 to .91 for test scores and from .91 to .97 for composite scores. The model based on CHC theory showed a good fit to the observed data (RMSEA=.034; SRMR=.026; CFI=.981). The results, in terms of TRI model fitting, reliability and validity, suggest that the BAT-7 is a useful, flexible and highly reliable test for assessing the cognitive abilities, and provide evidences supporting the use of the battery for the assessment of intellectual abilities in children and adults. An estimate of general ability (g), fluid intelligence (Gf) and crystallized intelligence (Gc) also can be obtained by applying the BAT-7.Keywords: Intelligence, cognitive abilities, assessment, g factor.Resumen:El BAT-7 es una nueva batería que permite estimar la inteligencia (factor general, g; inteligencia fluida, Gf; e inteligencia cristalizada, Gc) y evaluar 8 aptitudes cognitivas: razonamiento verbal (V), de razonamiento espacial (E), atención (A) y Concentración (Con), razonamiento abstracto (R), razonamiento numérico (N), razonamiento mecánico (M) y ortografía (O). Se compone de tres formas o niveles de dificultad creciente (Elemental, Medio y Superior) y está diseñada para la evaluación intelectual colectiva e individual de los estudiantes de E. Secundaria y universitarios, así como adultos con diferentes niveles educativos. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo ofrecer una descripción del desarrollo de la prueba y de las principales características de la misma así como un resumen de sus propiedades psicométricas, fundamentalmente de su fiabilidad y validez. La muestra de tipificación española estuvo formada por 4.263 alumnos (de 1.º de ESO hasta 2.º de Bachillerato) y 1.507 adultos de diferente nivel educativo y edad. La fiabilidad fue estudiada por medio de las funciones de información y de los coeficientes alfa de Cronbach y alfa ordinal. La validez se exploró mediante análisis factoriales confirmatorios multigrupo (ACF). Los ítems que componen cada prueba muestran un buen ajuste al modelo TRI de tres parámetros utilizado. Los valores del alfa ordinal variaron de 0,79 hasta 0,91 para las puntuaciones de la prueba y 0,91-0,97 para las puntuaciones compuestas o índices. El modelo factorial basado en la teoría CHC mostró un buen ajuste a los datos observados (RMSEA = 0,034 ; SRMR = 0,026 ; CFI = 0,981). Los resultados obtenidos en términos de ajuste al modelo de TRI, fiabilidad y validez indican que el BAT-7 es una medida útil, flexible y altamente fiable para la evaluación de las aptitudes cognitivas y aportan evidencias que apoyan el uso de la batería para la evaluación de las aptitudes intelectuales en escolares y adultos. Igualmente, mediante su aplicación puede obtenerse una estimación de la capacidad general (g), de la inteligencia fluida (Gf) y de la inteligencia cristalizada (Gc).Palabras clave: Inteligencia, aptitudes intelectuales, evaluación, factor g.

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On the Design of Broad-Based Neuropsychological Test Batteries to Assess the Cognitive Abilities of Individuals with Down Syndrome in the Context of Clinical Trials

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci8120205 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 205 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ines Basten ◽

Richard Boada ◽

Hudson Taylor ◽

Katherine Koenig ◽

Veridiana Barrionuevo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Down Syndrome ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Neuropsychological Test ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

The One

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetically-defined cause of intellectual disability. Neurodevelopmental deficits displayed by individuals with DS are generally global, however, disproportionate deficits in cognitive processes that depend heavily on the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are also well documented. Additionally, DS is associated with relative strengths in visual processing and visuospatial short-term memory, and weaknesses in the verbal domain. Although reports of pharmacological rescuing of learning and memory deficits in mouse models of DS abound in the literature, proving the principle that cognitive ability of persons with DS can be boosted through pharmacological means is still an elusive goal. The design of customized batteries of neuropsychological efficacy outcome measures is essential for the successful implementation of clinical trials of potential cognitive enhancing strategies. Here, we review the neurocognitive phenotype of individuals with DS and major broad-based test batteries designed to quantify specific cognitive domains in these individuals, including the one used in a pilot trial of the drug memantine. The main goal is to illustrate the essential considerations in planning trials to enhance cognitive functions in individuals with DS, which should also have implications for the design of similar studies in individuals with other forms of intellectual disability.

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Intelligence and Specific Cognitive Abilities in Children

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001.30.4.209 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 209-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Carin M. Tillman ◽

Gunilla Bohlin ◽

Lin Sörensen ◽

Astri J. Lundervold

Keyword(s):

Processing Speed ◽

Cognitive Functions ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Psychiatric Diagnosis ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Hierarchical Regression ◽

Interference Control ◽

Crystallized Intelligence ◽

Independent Features

This community-based study investigated the relationships between measures of specific cognitive functions (such as working memory [WM] and interference control) and intelligence in 283 8- to 11-year-old children, including 124 children who fulfilled criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis. A hierarchical regression analysis was used to overcome issues of overlapping predictor constructs. The results generally showed that measures of processing speed, WM, as well as inhibitory interference control entered in the order of presentation, each contributed uniquely to the explanation of fluid intelligence performance. The results for crystallized intelligence performance generally showed that the measures of processing speed, short-term memory (STM), WM, and sustained attention – entered in that order – made significant independent contributions. While effect sizes varied somewhat for contributions in the whole sample compared with the subgroup not meeting criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis, there were no significant differences. The findings therefore should be broadly representative in indicating that the unique aspects of these cognitive functions are important in the explanation of intelligence. The findings also demonstrate important independent features of the functions used as predictors.

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In Search of the Executive Cognitive Processes Proposed by Process-Overlap Theory

Journal of Intelligence ◽

10.3390/jintelligence9030043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 43

Author(s):

Gidon T. Frischkorn ◽

Claudia C. von Bastian

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Processes ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

General Factor ◽

Executive Processes ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Executive Processing ◽

Intelligence Measures ◽

Similar Domain

Process-Overlap Theory (POT) suggests that measures of cognitive abilities sample from sets of independent cognitive processes. These cognitive processes can be separated into domain-general executive processes, sampled by the majority of cognitive ability measures, and domain-specific processes, sampled only by measures within a certain domain. According to POT, fluid intelligence measures are related because different tests sample similar domain-general executive cognitive processes to some extent. Re-analyzing data from a study by De Simoni and von Bastian (2018), we assessed domain-general variance from executive processing tasks measuring inhibition, shifting, and efficiency of removal from working memory, as well as examined their relation to a domain-general factor extracted from fluid intelligence measures. The results showed that domain-general factors reflecting general processing speed were moderately and negatively correlated with the domain-general fluid intelligence factor (r = −.17–−.36). However, domain-general factors isolating variance specific to inhibition, shifting, and removal showed only small and inconsistent correlations with the domain-general fluid intelligence factor (r = .02–−.22). These findings suggest that (1) executive processing tasks sample only few domain-general executive processes also sampled by fluid intelligence measures, as well as (2) that domain-general speed of processing contributes more strongly to individual differences in fluid intelligence than do domain-general executive processes.

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An Initial Investigation of an Australian Adaptation of the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery — II

The Australian Educational and Developmental Psychologist ◽

10.1017/edp.2013.9 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 84-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kate E. Jacobs ◽

Shane Costello

Keyword(s):

Academic Achievement ◽

Item Response ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Cognitive Achievement ◽

Digit Symbol ◽

Chc Theory ◽

Picture Arrangement ◽

Australian Sample ◽

Specific Cognitive Abilities

The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities has helped advance understanding regarding the relations between specific cognitive abilities and academic achievement in definite domains. However, questions over the generalisability of this research, as well the moderating effect age has on the strength of cognitive-achievement relations, means that further research is needed. This study therefore investigated the capacity for using the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery — II (MAB-II), a group-administered test of cognitive ability, to further CHC-driven research in Australia. After adapting the MAB-II verbal subtests to be suitable for use with an Australian sample, 179 adults completed the measure. Results were analaysed using both classical test and item response theory. Findings indicated that despite the MAB-II not being developed using CHC theory, the structure of the test appeared to conform to this model. Further, while an adequate number of subtests hypothesised to measure the CHC domains of Comprehension-knowledge (Gc) and Visual processing (Gv) were found to perform well psychometrically, the Arithmetic, Picture Arrangement, and Digit Symbol subtests returned questionable results. Given the advantages a group-administered test of CHC cognitive abilities would provide to CHC-driven research in Australia, suggestions for future modifications and adaptations of the test are provided.

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Investment Traits and Intelligence in Adulthood

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000101 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 82-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sophie von Stumm

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Fluid Intelligence ◽

Need For Cognition ◽

Openness To Experience ◽

Intelligence Tests ◽

Crystallized Intelligence ◽

New Knowledge ◽

The Relationship ◽

Over Time

Intelligence-as-knowledge in adulthood is influenced by individual differences in intelligence-as-process (i.e., fluid intelligence) and in personality traits that determine when, where, and how people invest their intelligence over time. Here, the relationship between two investment traits (i.e., Openness to Experience and Need for Cognition), intelligence-as-process and intelligence-as-knowledge, as assessed by a battery of crystallized intelligence tests and a new knowledge measure, was examined. The results showed that (1) both investment traits were positively associated with intelligence-as-knowledge; (2) this effect was stronger for Openness to Experience than for Need for Cognition; and (3) associations between investment and intelligence-as-knowledge reduced when adjusting for intelligence-as-process but remained mostly significant.

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Η ανάπτυξη αναγνωστικών, γλωσσικών και γνωστικών δεξιοτήτων στους μαθητές του δημοτικού σχολείου

10.12681/eadd/38956 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Σοφία Παπαϊωάννου

Keyword(s):

Reading Comprehension ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Reading Skills ◽

Short Term Memory ◽

Vocabulary Knowledge ◽

School Students ◽

Cognitive Approach ◽

Academic Difficulties ◽

Close Link ◽

Development Of Language

Development of Cognitive and Academic Abilities in Greek Elementary School Students The development of language and reading skills is closely linked to the maturation ofcognitive abilities. This study focuses on Attention and Executive skills (EFs) and theirconnection with the development of language and reading skills among elementary schoolstudents, with emphasis on reading comprehension. In the context of two studies weexamined: the effect of Attention and EFs on Reading Comprehension controlling for printrelatedskills, the direct and indirect effects of attention, the factors that may moderate theseeffects of cognitive abilities on Reading Comprehension, and the cognitive and academicperformance of children demonstrating teacher-rated ADHD-related symptoms. A battery of tests assessing Sustained Attention, Short-term Memory (STM), EFs, andacademic skills was administered to a representative sample of, largely untreated, Greekelementary school students (N= 597 and N=923, respectively). Attention and EFs contributedsignificant additional variance to the prediction of Reading Comprehension after controllingfor efficiency, accuracy, morphosyntactic and vocabulary knowledge. Attention-relatedabilities contributed to Reading Comprehension indirectly through EFs. The only factor thatmoderated the effects of EFs on Reading Comprehension was Reading Efficiency. Significantdeficits in EFs and STM were restricted to the groups of students displaying inattentionsymptoms. Results demonstrated a close link between EFs, other than inhibition and set-shifting,everyday symptoms of inattention, and achievement in math and word-level reading skills.Reduced performance on EF measures was identified as the most important factor thatdistinguished between students with pervasive academic difficulties and their typicallyachieving peers, regardless of the presence of inattention symptoms. Considering the crosssectionalnature of the present study, our results provide some support to the hypothesis that EF deficits are causally related to developmental academic difficulties, and may set a firmbasis for implementing a cognitive approach to the management of students with ReadingComprehension difficulties and severe inattention symptoms.

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Re(Examining) Relations between CHC Broad and Narrow Cognitive Abilities and Reading Achievement

Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology ◽

10.5539/jedp.v7n1p265 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 265 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ryan J. McGill

Keyword(s):

Reading Achievement ◽

Multiple Regression ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Reading Scores ◽

Cognitive Achievement ◽

General Factor ◽

School Age ◽

Chc Theory ◽

Moderating Effects ◽

Clinically Significant

Previously, Evans and colleagues (2001) utilized simultaneous multiple regression to examine relations between Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC; Schneider & McGrew, 2012) broad and narrow cognitive abilities and reading achievement across the school age span. Although their findings suggest that many broad/narrow abilities had clinically significant effects on reading achievement they failed to account for the potential moderating effects of the general factor. To account for these effects, the current study employed hierarchical multiple regression analysis to reexamine the relationships between CHC dimensions and reading achievement after controlling for the effects of the general factor with 4,722 participants ages 6-18 from the Woodcock Johnson III Psychoeducational Battery (WJ III; Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001a). Results from the present study indicate that the full scale GIA composite (as a proxy for g) consistently accounted for large effects across the school age span for all of the reading achievement variables that were assessed. Among the broad and narrow abilities, only Gc consistently accounted for meaningful proportions of reading scores beyond g. As a consequence, researchers are encouraged to give greater consideration to the dimensionality of broad and narrow CHC measures when examining cognitive-achievement relationships or they may risk over-interpreting the predictive effects associated with these indices. Potential implications for clinical application of CHC theory are also discussed.

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Computer Programming E-Learners’ Personality Traits, Self-Reported Cognitive Abilities, and Learning Motivating Factors

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11091205 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1205

Author(s):

Aiste Dirzyte ◽

Aivaras Vijaikis ◽

Aidas Perminas ◽

Romualda Rimasiute-Knabikiene ◽

Lukas Kaminskis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Personality Traits ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Computer Programming ◽

Social Pressure ◽

Negative Emotionality ◽

Future Research ◽

Motivating Factors ◽

Individual Attitude ◽

The Impact

Educational systems around the world encourage students to engage in programming activities, but programming learning is one of the most challenging learning tasks. Thus, it was significant to explore the factors related to programming learning. This study aimed to identify computer programming e-learners’ personality traits, self-reported cognitive abilities and learning motivating factors in comparison with other e-learners. We applied a learning motivating factors questionnaire, the Big Five Inventory—2, and the SRMCA instruments. The sample consisted of 444 e-learners, including 189 computer programming e-learners, the mean age was 25.19 years. It was found that computer programming e-learners demonstrated significantly lower scores of extraversion, and significantly lower scores of motivating factors of individual attitude and expectation, reward and recognition, and punishment. No significant differences were found in the scores of self-reported cognitive abilities between the groups. In the group of computer programming e-learners, extraversion was a significant predictor of individual attitude and expectation; conscientiousness and extraversion were significant predictors of challenging goals; extraversion and agreeableness were significant predictors of clear direction; open-mindedness was a significant predictor of a diminished motivating factor of punishment; negative emotionality was a significant predictor of social pressure and competition; comprehension-knowledge was a significant predictor of individual attitude and expectation; fluid reasoning and comprehension-knowledge were significant predictors of challenging goals; comprehension-knowledge was a significant predictor of clear direction; and visual processing was a significant predictor of social pressure and competition. The SEM analysis demonstrated that personality traits (namely, extraversion, conscientiousness, and reverted negative emotionality) statistically significantly predict learning motivating factors (namely, individual attitude and expectation, and clear direction), but the impact of self-reported cognitive abilities in the model was negligible in both groups of participants and non-participants of e-learning based computer programming courses; χ² (34) = 51.992, p = 0.025; CFI = 0.982; TLI = 0.970; NFI = 0.950; RMSEA = 0.051 [0.019–0.078]; SRMR = 0.038. However, as this study applied self-reported measures, we strongly suggest applying neurocognitive methods in future research.

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