scholarly journals Unity and diversity of executive functions in creativity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darya Zabelina ◽  
Naomi P. Friedman ◽  
Jessica R. Andrews-Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Real World ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Working Memory Updating

Increasing evidence suggests that executive functions (EFs) – a set of general-purpose control processes that regulate thoughts and behaviors – are relevant for creativity. However, EF is not a unitary process, and it remains unclear which specific EFs are involved. The present study examined the association between the three EFs, both uniquely (EF-Specific) and together (Common EF), and three measures of creativity. Participants (N = 47) completed a divergent thinking test, and self-reported their real-life creative accomplishments. A subset of participants indicated their involvement in the artistic or information technology (IT) professions. Results indicated that fluency (but not originality) of divergent thinking was uniquely predicted by working memory Updating. Better response Inhibition predicted higher number of real-world artistic creative achievements. Involvement in the artistic (versus IT) professions was associated with better Common EF, and with enhanced mental set Shifting abilities. Results demonstrate that different EFs predict creativity depending on its operational definition.

scholarly journals Research on individual differences in executive functions

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi P. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Language Control ◽  
Multicomponent Nature

Abstract Executive functions (EFs), such as response inhibition, interference control, and set shifting, are general-purpose control mechanisms that enable individuals to regulate their thoughts and behaviors. Because bilingual individuals use EF-like processes during language control, researchers have become interested in the hypothesis that this use might train EFs, resulting in better performance on non-linguistic EF tasks. Although this bilingual advantage hypothesis seems straightforward to test, it involves a number of important decisions in terms of how to assess bilingualism and EFs. In this article, I focus on the complexity of measuring EFs, drawing on individual differences research (conducted with participants not selected for bilingualism). Specifically, I discuss issues related to (1) the measurement of EFs (particularly the effects of task impurity and unreliability) and (2) the multicomponent nature of EFs. Within each of these topics, I elaborate on consequences for research on bilingual advantages and provide some recommendations.

scholarly journals Association of Sleep Quality on Memory-Related Executive Functions in Middle Age

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brinda K. Rana ◽  
Matthew S. Panizzon ◽  
Carol E. Franz ◽  
Kelly M. Spoon ◽  
Kristen C. Jacobson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Visual Spatial ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractObjectives: Sleep quality affects memory and executive function in older adults, but little is known about its effects in midlife. If it affects cognition in midlife, it may be a modifiable factor for later-life functioning. Methods: We examined the association between sleep quality and cognition in 1220 middle-aged male twins (age 51–60 years) from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. We interviewed participants with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and tested them for episodic memory as well as executive functions of inhibitory and interference control, updating in working memory, and set shifting. Interference control was assessed during episodic memory, inhibitory control during working memory, and non-memory conditions and set shifting during working memory and non-memory conditions. Results: After adjusting for covariates and correcting for multiple comparisons, sleep quality was positively associated with updating in working memory, set shifting in the context of working memory, and better visual-spatial (but not verbal) episodic memory, and at trend level, with interference control in the context of episodic memory. Conclusions: Sleep quality was associated with visual-spatial recall and possible resistance to proactive/retroactive interference. It was also associated with updating in working memory and with set shifting, but only when working memory demands were relatively high. Thus, effects of sleep quality on midlife cognition appear to be at the intersection of executive function and memory processes. Subtle deficits in these age-susceptible cognitive functions may indicate increased risk for decline in cognitive abilities later in life that might be reduced by improved midlife sleep quality. (JINS, 2018, 24, 67–76)

Executive Functions in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: State or Trait Deficits?

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1031-1038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley Bannon ◽  
Craig J. Gonsalvez ◽  
Rodney J. Croft ◽  
Philip M. Boyce
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Design Study ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder

Objective: Despite the neuropsychology literature providing reliable evidence of impaired executive functions in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), to date it has not been determined whether these deficits are trait-related (independent of symptomatology) or state-dependent (dependent on symptomatology). The current research examines the executive functions in OCD in a comprehensive manner and, for the first time, assesses the stability of these deficits over the developmental course of the disorder. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, Study 1 examined the executive functions (set shifting, inhibition, planning, verbal fluency and working memory) in 60 subjects (20 actively Symptomatic OCD, 20 Remitted OCD and 20 Panic Disorder). Using a longitudinal design, Study 2 reassessed a subsample of OCD subjects (participants in Study 1) once they reached remitted status. Results: Study 1 found that the OCD groups exhibited deficits in set shifting and inhibition relative to Panic Disorder controls; however, no deficits were observed in planning, verbal fluency or working memory. There were no differences found between the Symptomatic and Remitted OCD groups on any of the executive function measures. Study 2 found that the identified executive function deficits in individuals were stable over time and remained unchanged despite symptom remittance. Conclusion: Current results confirm the presence of specific executive function deficits in OCD, and indicate that these deficits are trait-like in nature.

scholarly journals Executive functions in early childhood: interrelations and structural development of inhibition, set-shifting and working memory

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Stievano ◽  
Giovanni Valeri
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Task Analysis ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
General Cognitive Ability ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Typically Developing Children ◽  
Linguistic Level ◽  
Insight Into

The aim of the present study is to examine the interrelations of executive function (EF) tasks with general cognitive ability and linguistic level in preschool children. The analyses of the correlation between EF sub-domains, particularly inhibition and setshifting, have been studied to comprehend the ontogenesis of EFs. Task analysis has allowed us to identify which EF sub-domains are prevalent in each task, with particular attention to inhibition and set-shifting definitions. The sample was composed of 40 typically developing children from 48 to 69 months old (M = 58 months, SD = 5.02); 28 boys and 12 girls. The results give some insight into the development of executive functions, their utility in clinical assessment and indication.

scholarly journals Individual differences in musical training and executive functions: A latent variable approach

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Okada ◽  
L. Robert Slevc
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Musical Training ◽  
Continuous Measure ◽  
Memory Updating ◽  
Variable Approach ◽  
Working Memory Updating

Learning and performing music draw on a host of cognitive abilities, and previous research postulates that musicians might have advantages in related cognitive processes. One such aspect of cognition that may be related to musical training is executive functions (EFs), a set of top-down processes that regulate behavior and cognition according to task demands. Previous studies investigating the link between musical training and EFs have yielded mixed results and are difficult to compare. In part, this is because most studies look at only one specific cognitive process, and even studies looking at the same process use different experimental tasks. Furthermore, most correlational studies use different categorizations of “musician” and “non-musician” for comparisons, so generalizing findings is difficult. The current study provides a more comprehensive assessment of how individual differences in musical training relate to latent measures of three separable aspects of EFs. We administered a well-validated EF battery containing multiple tasks tapping EF components of inhibition, shifting, and working memory updating (Friedman et al., 2008) and a comprehensive, continuous measure of musical training and sophistication (Müllensiefen et al., 2014). Musical training correlated with some individual EF tasks involving inhibition and working memory updating, but not individual tasks involving shifting. However, musical training only predicted the latent variable of working memory updating, but not latent variables of inhibition or shifting after controlling for IQ, socioeconomic status, and handedness. Although these data are correlational, they nonetheless suggest that musical experience places particularly strong demands specifically on working memory updating processes.

scholarly journals Differences in executive functioning between violent and non-violent offenders

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1784-1793 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Meijers ◽  
J. M. Harte ◽  
G. Meynen ◽  
P. Cuijpers
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Partial Correlation ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Violent Offenders ◽  
Test Battery ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Neuropsychological Test Battery

BackgroundA growing body of neuropsychological and neurobiological research shows a relationship between functioning of the prefrontal cortex and criminal and violent behaviour. The prefrontal cortex is crucial for executive functions such as inhibition, attention, working memory, set-shifting and planning. A deficit in these functions – a prefrontal deficit – may result in antisocial, impulsive or even aggressive behaviour. While several meta-analyses show large effect sizes for the relationship between a prefrontal deficit, executive dysfunction and criminality, there are few studies investigating differences in executive functions between violent and non-violent offenders. Considering the relevance of identifying risk factors for violent offending, the current study explores whether a distinction between violent and non-violent offenders can be made using an extensive neuropsychological test battery.MethodMale remand prisoners (N = 130) in Penitentiary Institution Amsterdam Over-Amstel were administered an extensive neuropsychological test battery (Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery; CANTAB) measuring response inhibition, planning, attention, set-shifting, working memory and impulsivity/reward sensitivity.ResultsViolent offenders performed significantly worse on the stop-signal task (partial correlation r = 0.205, p = 0.024), a task measuring response inhibition. No further differences were found between violent and non-violent offenders. Explorative analyses revealed a significant relationship between recidivism and planning (partial correlation r = −0.209, p = 0.016).ConclusionViolent offenders show worse response inhibition compared to non-violent offenders, suggesting a more pronounced prefrontal deficit in violent offenders than in non-violent offenders.

scholarly journals Immersive virtual reality gameplay captures age differences in naturalistic prospective memory

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Saito ◽  
Nathan Rose
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Real World ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Phone Calls

Age differences in prospective memory (PM)—memory for delayed intentions—have shown paradoxical patterns between laboratory and naturalistic settings. Virtual reality (VR) has been used to try and enhance the ecological validity of PM assessments, but methodological differences and limited validation have undermined interpretation of previous findings. We compared age differences between VR- and naturalistic-based measures of PM performance for younger (18-30 years) and older (56-83 years) adults (N = 111) to explore the role of task context and familiarity. Participants completed PM tasks embedded in the Job Simulator VR videogame and a Breakfast task that involved setting a table and simulating breakfast food preparation. We also included two real-world measures in which participants tried to remember to exchange personal belongings with the experimenter (Belongings task) and return phone calls at specific times outside the lab (Call-back task). We found comparable age deficits in Job Simulator and the Breakfast task. However, the age-PM paradox persisted in the Belongings and Call-back tasks. Hierarchical regression modeling was conducted to determine the roles of working memory, vigilance, and personality traits in each. Regression analyses revealed that significant variance in lab-based PM performance was accounted for by individual differences in working memory and agreeableness in older adults, while variance in naturalistic PM performance was accounted for by vigilance and neuroticism in young adults. This study suggests that immersive VR gameplay helped to provide ecologically valid PM assessment and advance a theoretical account of the age-PM paradox with a systematic, task-based analysis of age and individual differences in PM. Different mediators predicted young and older adults’ PM differently across real-world and in-lab contexts (despite measuring similar, naturalistic PM in the same individuals in both VR and in real life). There are methodological, cognitive, & personality moderators, but the “paradox” appears to be a real developmental phenomenon.

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