scholarly journals Individual Differences in Attention and Intelligence: A United Cognitive/Psychometric Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Andrew R. A. Conway ◽  
Kristof Kovacs ◽  
Han Hao ◽  
Kevin P. Rosales ◽  
Jean-Paul Snijder
Keyword(s):  
Executive Function ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Executive Attention ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Multiple Domain

Process overlap theory (POT) is a new theoretical framework designed to account for the general factor of intelligence (g). According to POT, g does not reflect a general cognitive ability. Instead, g is the result of multiple domain-general executive attention processes and multiple domain-specific processes that are sampled in an overlapping manner across a battery of intelligence tests. POT explains several benchmark findings on human intelligence. However, the precise nature of the executive attention processes underlying g remains unclear. In the current paper, we discuss challenges associated with building a theory of individual differences in attention and intelligence. We argue that the conflation of psychological theories and statistical models, as well as problematic inferences based on latent variables, impedes research progress and prevents theory building. Two studies designed to illustrate the unique features of POT relative to previous approaches are presented. In Study 1, a simulation is presented to illustrate precisely how POT accounts for the relationship between executive attention processes and g. In Study 2, three datasets from previous studies are reanalyzed (N = 243, N = 234, N = 945) and reveal a discrepancy between the POT simulated model and the unity/diversity model of executive function. We suggest that this discrepancy is largely due to methodological problems in previous studies but also reflects different goals of research on individual differences in attention. The unity/diversity model is designed to facilitate research on executive function and dysfunction associated with cognitive and neural development and disease. POT is uniquely suited to guide and facilitate research on individual differences in cognitive ability and the investigation of executive attention processes underlying g.

scholarly journals Making Cognitive Latent Variables Manifest: Distinct Neural Networks for Fluid Reasoning and Processing Speed

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1249-1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Habeck ◽  
Jason Steffener ◽  
Daniel Barulli ◽  
Yunglin Gazes ◽  
Qolamreza Razlighi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Fluid Reasoning

Cognitive psychologists posit several specific cognitive abilities that are measured with sets of cognitive tasks. Tasks that purportedly tap a specific underlying cognitive ability are strongly correlated with one another, whereas performances on tasks that tap different cognitive abilities are less strongly correlated. For these reasons, latent variables are often considered optimal for describing individual differences in cognitive abilities. Although latent variables cannot be directly observed, all cognitive tasks representing a specific latent ability should have a common neural underpinning. Here, we show that cognitive tasks representing one ability (i.e., either perceptual speed or fluid reasoning) had a neural activation pattern distinct from that of tasks in the other ability. One hundred six participants between the ages of 20 and 77 years were imaged in an fMRI scanner while performing six cognitive tasks, three representing each cognitive ability. Consistent with prior research, behavioral performance on these six tasks clustered into the two abilities based on their patterns of individual differences and tasks postulated to represent one ability showed higher similarity across individuals than tasks postulated to represent a different ability. This finding was extended in the current report to the spatial resemblance of the task-related activation patterns: The topographic similarity of the mean activation maps for tasks postulated to reflect the same reference ability was higher than for tasks postulated to reflect a different reference ability. Furthermore, for any task pairing, behavioral and topographic similarities of underlying activation patterns are strongly linked. These findings suggest that differences in the strengths of correlations between various cognitive tasks may be because of the degree of overlap in the neural structures that are active when the tasks are being performed. Thus, the latent variable postulated to account for correlations at a behavioral level may reflect topographic similarities in the neural activation across different brain regions.

Attention and Intelligence

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas R. Burns ◽  
Ted Nettelbeck ◽  
Jason McPherson
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
General Factor

Carroll (1993 ) found few factor-analytic studies that addressed attentional abilities. We reviewed and reanalyzed some of these studies and concluded that an exploratory approach to the study of the relationships between tests of attention and cognitive abilities was warranted. We sampled N = 147 adults from the general community and administered 17 tests of attention, including well-known neuropsychological tests along with tests drawn from the differential and experimental literatures on attention. We also administered 14 tests of cognitive ability designed to measure constructs described in Carroll’s taxonomy of intelligence, including a higher-order general ability factor. Regression of a general factor from the abilities battery onto a general factor from the attentional battery showed these two latent variables to be near identical (β = .98). Exploratory structural equation modeling, which allowed a model wherein the abilities part of the model was a confirmatory measurement model but the attention variables were modeled by three rotated exploratory factors, clarified this outcome. There were two sustained attention factors and one working-memory capacity factor with differential relationships with the latent abilities variables and with age. Results are discussed in the context of the network of processes that underlies a description of general cognitive ability at the psychological level, which includes mental speed, working memory, and sustained attention.

scholarly journals Creative Achievement and Individual Differences: Associations Across and Within the Domains of Creativity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darya Zabelina ◽  
Elina Zaonegina ◽  
William Revelle ◽  
David M Condon
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Threshold Effect ◽  
Vocational Interests ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Creative Achievement ◽  
High Level

We investigated the relationships between creative achievement, cognitive ability, temperament, and vocational interests using a large and diverse internet-based sample. Ten creative domains (visual arts, music, creative writing, dance, drama, architecture, humor, scientific discovery, inventions, culinary arts) were positively associated with higher cognitive ability, intellect and extraversion, and lower agreeableness. With regard to cognitive ability, there was no evidence for the threshold effect on achievements. With regard to age, younger individuals endorsed a greater number of low-level achievements and older individuals more high-level achievements across the 10 creative domains. Other characteristics of individual differences (e.g., vocational interests) were more domain-specific for predicting creative achievement. We also introduce a revised method for the assessment and scoring of creative achievements, and discuss suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals Binding Costs in Processing Efficiency as Determinants of Cognitive Ability

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Goecke ◽  
Florian Schmitz ◽  
Oliver Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Elementary Cognitive Tasks

Performance in elementary cognitive tasks is moderately correlated with fluid intelligence and working memory capacity. These correlations are higher for more complex tasks, presumably due to increased demands on working memory capacity. In accordance with the binding hypothesis, which states that working memory capacity reflects the limit of a person’s ability to establish and maintain temporary bindings (e.g., relations between items or relations between items and their context), we manipulated binding requirements (i.e., 2, 4, and 6 relations) in three choice reaction time paradigms (i.e., two comparison tasks, two change-detection tasks, and two substitution tasks) measuring mental speed. Response time distributions of N = 115 participants were analyzed with the diffusion model. Higher binding requirements resulted in generally reduced efficiency of information processing, as indicated by lower drift rates. Additionally, we fitted bi-factor confirmatory factor analysis to the elementary cognitive tasks to separate basal speed and binding requirements of the employed tasks to quantify their specific contributions to working memory capacity, as measured by Recall-1-Back tasks. A latent factor capturing individual differences in binding was incrementally predictive of working memory capacity, over and above a general factor capturing speed. These results indicate that the theory-driven task complexity manipulation in terms of binding requirements moderated the relation of mental speed tasks with cognitive ability in the predicted way. We conclude that binding requirements and, therefore, demands on working memory capacity offer a satisfactory account of task complexity that accounts for a large portion of individual differences in ability.

G and g: Two markers of a general cognitive ability, or none?

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Locurto
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
General Factor ◽  
General Cognitive Ability ◽  
Contextual Variables ◽  
Nonhuman Species

AbstractThe search for general processes that underlie intelligence in nonhumans has followed two strategies: one that concerns observing differences between nonhuman species (G), the second that concerns observing individual differences within a nonhuman species (g). This commentary takes issue with both attempts to mark a general factor: Differential responding to contextual variables compromises the search for G, and the lack of predictive validity compromises g.

The Bullshitting Frequency Scale: Development and psychometric properties

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane Littrell ◽  
Evan F. Risko ◽  
Jonathan Albert Fugelsang
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Misleading Information ◽  
Social Decision ◽  
Frequency Scale ◽  
Dispositional Factors ◽  
Reliable Scale

Recent psychological research has identified important individual differences associated with receptivity to bullshit, which has greatly enhanced our understanding of the processes behind susceptibility to pseudo-profound or otherwise misleading information. However, the bulk of this research attention has focused on cognitive and dispositional factors related to bullshit (the product), while largely overlooking the influences behind bullshitting (the act). Here, we present results from four studies (focusing on the construction and validation of a new, reliable scale measuring the frequency with which individuals engage in two types of bullshitting (persuasive and evasive) in everyday situations. Overall, bullshitting frequency was negatively associated with sincerity, honesty, cognitive ability, open-minded cognition, and self-regard. Additionally, the Bullshitting Frequency Scale was found to reliably measure constructs that are: 1) distinct from lying, and; 2) significantly related to performance on overclaiming and social decision tasks. These results represent an important step forward by demonstrating the utility of the Bullshitting Frequency Scale as well as highlighting certain individual differences that may play important roles in the extent to which individuals engage in everyday bullshitting.

scholarly journals Personality dynamics at work: The effects of form, time, and context of variability

2021 ◽  
pp. 089020702110173
Author(s):  
Nadin Beckmann ◽  
Damian P Birney ◽  
Amirali Minbashian ◽  
Jens F Beckmann
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
Short Term ◽  
State Data ◽  
The Status ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Trait Variability

The study aimed to investigate the status of within-person state variability in neuroticism and conscientiousness as individual differences constructs by exploring their (a) temporal stability, (b) cross-context consistency, (c) empirical links to selected antecedents, and (d) empirical links to longer term trait variability. Employing a sample of professionals ( N = 346) from Australian organisations, personality state data together with situation appraisals were collected using experience sampling methodology in field and repeatedly in lab-like settings. Data on personality traits, cognitive ability, and motivational mindsets were collected at baseline and after two years. Contingent (situation contingencies) and non-contingent (relative SD) state variability indices were relatively stable over time and across contexts. Only a small number of predictive effects of state variability were observed, and these differed across contexts. Cognitive ability appeared to be associated with state variability under lab-like conditions. There was limited evidence of links between short-term state and long-term trait variability, except for a small effect for neuroticism. Some evidence of positive manifold was found for non-contingent variability. Systematic efforts are required to further elucidate the complex pattern of results regarding the antecedents, correlates and outcomes of individual differences in state variability.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document