The Reason Our Minds Wander

Mind wandering research (with the interaction between the default, salience, and central executive brain networks) has exploded during the past 10 years.  A key variable in the management of mind wandering is "attentional control"

The Reason Our Minds Wander

From The Atlantic on Flipboard

Why do people spend so many hours per day worrying, daydreaming, or focusing on anything but the present? You probably aren't living in the moment. Most people spend their…

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Scientists Have A More Precise Way To Measure Your Brain

Photo: popsci.com Scientists Have A More Precise Way To Measure Your Brain From Technology, a Flipboard Magazine by Flipboard Newsdesk popsci.com · A British company is making the device a reality Measuring the activity of the brain can tell researchers a lot about how a healthy brain functions, as wel... Read on Flipboard Read on popsci.com

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DARPA launches Targeted Neuroplasticity Training program to ...

Photo: sharpbrains.com DARPA launches Targeted Neuroplasticity Training program to accelerate cognitive skills training sharpbrains.com · — TNT technology will be designed to safely and precisely modulate peripheral nerves to control synaptic plasticity during cognitive skill training. "The b... Read on Flipboard Read on sharpbrains.com

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On the Necessity of Distinguishing Between Unintentional and Intentional Mind Wandering.

On the Necessity of Distinguishing Between Unintentional and Intentional Mind Wandering.

On the Necessity of Distinguishing Between Unintentional and Intentional Mind Wandering.Psychol Sci. 2016 Mar…

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Research Byte: General cognitive ability and fluctuating asymmetry of brain surface area via BrowZine

Another study consistent with the P-FIT model of intelligence. Here are other P-FIT related posts at IQs Corner. - http://www.iqscorner.com/search/label/P-FIT

General cognitive ability and fluctuating asymmetry of brain surface area
Yeo, Ronald A.; Ryman, Sephira G.; Pommy, Jessica; Thoma, Robert J.; Jung, Rex E.
Intelligence, Vol. 56 – 2016: 93 - 98

10.1016/j.intell.2016.03.002

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Research Byte: A relational frame skills training intervention to increase general intelligence and scholastic aptitude via BrowZine

A relational frame skills training intervention to increase general intelligence and scholastic aptitude
Cassidy, Sarah; Roche, Bryan; Colbert, Dylan; Stewart, Ian; Grey, Ian M.
Learning and Individual Differences, Vol. 47 – 2016: 222 - 235

10.1016/j.lindif.2016.03.001

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Research Byet: Gesture Supports Spatial Thinking in STEM via BrowZine

Gesture Supports Spatial Thinking in STEM
Stieff, Mike; Lira, Matthew E.; Scopelitis, Stephanie A.
Cognition and Instruction, Vol. 34 Issue 2 – 2016: 80 - 99

10.1080/07370008.2016.1145122

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Video: Why do we live in three dimensions?

Interesting food for thought

Why do we live in three dimensions?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f12vlEQ1X9E

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Does the Cerebellum Fine-Tune Complex Cerebral Functions?

Does the Cerebellum Fine-Tune Complex Cerebral Functions?

Source: Life Science Databases/Wikimedia Commons In 1504, Leonardo da Vinci made wax castings of the human brain and coined the term…

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STUDY ALERT: Conscientiousness Is the Most Powerful Noncognitive Predictor of School Achievement in Adolescents

STUDY ALERT: Conscientiousness Is the Most Powerful Noncognitive Predictor of School Achievement in Adolescents

Abstract Much research has demonstrated that intelligence and conscientiousness have a…

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Sharing Can we create a measure of fluid intelligence using Puzzle Creator within Portal 2? via BrowZine

Can we create a measure of fluid intelligence using Puzzle Creator within Portal 2?
Foroughi, Cyrus K.; Serraino, Carolyn; Parasuraman, Raja; Boehm-Davis, Deborah A.
Intelligence, Vol. 56 – 2016: 58 - 64

10.1016/j.intell.2016.02.011

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Sharing A structural equation modeling investigation of relationships among school-aged ELs' individual difference characteristics and academic and second language outcomes via BrowZine

A structural equation modeling investigation of relationships among school-aged ELs' individual difference characteristics and academic and second language outcomes
Ardasheva, Yuliya
Learning and Individual Differences, Vol. 47 – 2016: 194 - 206

10.1016/j.lindif.2016.02.010

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Research Byte: Gymnasts and orienteers show better Gv than nonathletes

 

File under Gv and Gp as per the CHC taxonomy of human abilities.

 

Gymnasts and orienteers display better mental rotation performance than nonathletes.

Schmidt, Mirko; Egger, Fabienne; Kieliger, Mario; Rubeli, Benjamin; Schüler, Julia

Journal of Individual Differences, Vol 37(1), 2016, 1-7. http://dx.doi.org.ezp1.lib.umn.edu/10.1027/1614-0001/a000180

Abstract

1. The aim of this study was to examine whether athletes differ from nonathletes regarding their mental rotation performance. Furthermore, it investigated whether athletes doing sports requiring distinguishable levels of mental rotation (orienteering, gymnastics, running), as well as varying with respect to having an egocentric (gymnastics) or an allocentric perspective (orienteering), differ from each other. Therefore, the Mental Rotations Test (MRT) was carried out with 20 orienteers, 20 gymnasts, 20 runners, and 20 nonathletes. The results indicate large differences in mental rotation performance, with those actively doing sports outperforming the nonathletes. Analyses for the specific groups showed that orienteers and gymnasts differed from the nonathletes, whereas endurance runners did not. Contrary to expectations, the mental rotation performance of gymnasts did not differ from that of orienteers. This study also revealed gender differences in favor of men. Implications regarding a differentiated view of the connection between specific sports and mental rotation performance are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Research Byte: IQ Can Be Boosted But Maybe Not Permanently

IQ Can Be Boosted But Maybe Not Permanently

A new study suggests environmental interventions do increase intelligence – but the effects are temporary. In the investigation, University of California,…

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Research Byte: Executive functioning and working memory deficits in kingergarten are predictive of reading and math deficits in first grade

 

Nice study.  For WJ III/WJ IV users, the measure of working memory (Gwm), which was the most predictive variable of first grade reading and math, was Numbers Reversed.

 

Contemporary Educational Psychology

Available online 7 March 2016

In Press, Accepted Manuscript — Note to users

Executive functioning deficits increase kindergarten children's risk for reading and mathematics difficulties in first grade

• Paul L. Morgan, Ph.D.¹,
• Hui Li, Ph.D.¹,
• George Farkas, Ph.D.²,
• Michael Cook, M.S.¹,
• Wik Hung Pun, M.S.¹,
• Marianne M. Hillemeier, Ph.D., M.P.H.¹

• ¹ The Pennsylvania State University
• ² University of California, Irvine

Available online 7 March 2016

 Show less

doi:10.1016/j.cedpsych.2016.01.004

Get rights and content

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Highlights

• Executive functioning deficits in kindergarten uniquely predict reading and mathematics difficulties in first grade

• Executive functioning deficits more strongly predict mathematics difficulties than reading difficulties, although these deficits predict both types of difficulties

• Working memory deficits more strongly predict mathematics and reading difficulties than cognitive flexibility deficits

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Abstract

Whether executive functioning deficits result in children experiencing learning difficulties is presently unclear. Yet evidence for these hypothesized causal relations has many implications for early intervention design and delivery. We used a multi-year panel design, multiple criterion and predictor variable measures, extensive statistical control for potential confounds including autoregressive prior histories of both reading and mathematics difficulties, and additional epidemiological methods to preliminarily examine these hypothesized relations. Results from multivariate logistic regression analyses of a nationally representative and longitudinal sample of 18,080 children (i.e., the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort of 2011, or ECLS-K: 2011) indicated that working memory and, separately, cognitive flexibility deficits uniquely increased kindergarten children's risk of experiencing reading as well as mathematics difficulties in first grade. The risks associated with working memory deficits were particularly strong. Experimentally-evaluated, multi-component interventions designed to help young children with reading or mathematics difficulties may also need to remediate early deficits in executive function, particularly in working memory.

Keywords

• Executive functioning;
• working memory;
• cognitive flexibility;
• learning difficulties;
• longitudinal

Research Byte: Age of Child May Influence ADHD Diagnosis

Age of Child May Influence ADHD Diagnosis

New research critically examines the timing of when a child is diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suggesting that immaturity may…

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CHC theory I love you

I occasionally like to spend some free time (when I need a break) surfing the net with certain key terms...just to see "what is out there."  Tonight I searched for "CHC intelligence theory" and found all kinds of material.  My favorite was a YouTube video and jingle about CHC theory.  Cute.

Research Byte: Educational neuroscience questioned

March: Educational neuroscience questioned

In a controversial research paper published in Psychological Review, Professor Jeffrey Bowers of Bristol's School of Experimental Psychology warns that…

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Research Byte: Executive functions are related to more than just the prefrontal strucutres--white matter matters

Neuroanatomical Substrates of Executive Functions: Beyond Prefrontal Structures

• Brianne M. Bettcher^{a, b, ,} ,
• Dan Mungas^c,
• Nihar Patel^a,
• Jonathan Elofson^a,
• Shubir Dutt^a,
• Matthew Wynn^a,
• Christa L. Watson^a,
• Melanie Stephens^a,
• Christine M. Walsh^a,
• Joel H. Kramer^a

• ^a University of California, San Francisco; Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center; San Francisco, CA
• ^b University of Colorado, Denver Anschutz School of Medicine; Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology; Rocky Mountain Alzheimer’s Disease Center; Aurora, CO
• ^c University of California, Davis; Department of Neurology; Davis, CA

Received 6 August 2015, Revised 29 February 2016, Accepted 3 March 2016, Available online 3 March 2016

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Highlights

•

Executive functions (EF) are not synonymous with ‘frontal’ tasks.

•

Global atrophy was the only independent predictor of EF.

•

Frontal volumes do not predict EF when statistically isolated from global atrophy.

•

White matter metrics remain predictors of EF, independent of global atrophy.

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Abstract

Executive functions are often considered lynchpin “frontal lobe tasks”, despite accumulating evidence that a broad network of anterior and posterior brain structures supports them. Using a latent variable modeling approach, we assessed whether prefrontal grey matter volumes independently predict executive function performance when statistically differentiated from global atrophy and individual non-frontal lobar volume contributions. We further examined whether fronto-parietal white matter microstructure underlies and independently contributes to executive functions. We developed a latent variable model to decompose lobar grey matter volumes into a global grey matter factor and specific lobar volumes (i.e. prefrontal, parietal, temporal, occipital) that were independent of global grey matter. We then added mean fractional anisotropy (FA) for the superior longitudinal fasciculus (dorsal portion), corpus callosum, and cingulum bundle (dorsal portion) to models that included grey matter volumes related to cognitive variables in previous analyses. Results suggested that the 2-factor model (shifting/inhibition, updating/working memory) plus an information processing speed factor best explained our executive function data in a sample of 202 community dwelling older adults, and was selected as the base measurement model for further analyses. Global grey matter was related to the executive function and speed variables in all four lobar models, but independent contributions of the frontal lobes were not significant. In contrast, when assessing the effect of white matter microstructure, cingulum FA made significant independent contributions to all three executive function and speed variables and corpus callosum FA was independently related to shifting/inhibition and speed. Findings from the current study indicate that while prefrontal grey matter volumes are significantly associated with cognitive neuroscience measures of shifting/inhibition and working memory in healthy older adults, they do not independently predict executive function when statistically isolated from global atrophy and individual non-frontal lobar volume contributions. In contrast, better microstructure of fronto-parietal white matter, namely the corpus callosum and cingulum, continued to predict executive functions after accounting for global grey matter atrophy. These findings contribute to a growing literature suggesting that prefrontal contributions to executive functions cannot be viewed in isolation from more distributed grey and white matter effects in a healthy older adult cohort.

The Death Penalty and Intellectual Disability

The Death Penalty and Intellectual Disability

This book is the authoritative resource on the application of diagnostic information concerning intellectual disability (ID) in death penalty cases. In a…

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Ignoring Stuff Is Good for Your Memory

Ignoring Stuff Is Good for Your Memory

That's because a distracted brain is a forgetful brain

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Research Byte: Was Intelligence necessary? via BrowZine

Thoughtful reflections on the journal Intelligence by its founder, Doug Detterman.

Was Intelligence necessary?
Detterman, Douglas K.
Intelligence, Vol. 55 – 2016: v - viii

10.1016/S0160-2896(16)30058-7

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Research Byte: The role of intelligence in the distribution of national happiness via BrowZine

The role of intelligence in the distribution of national happiness
Nikolaev, Boris; Salahodjaev, Raufhon
Intelligence, Vol. 56 – 2016: 38 - 45

10.1016/j.intell.2016.02.006

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Research Byte: Augmenting intelligence: Developmental limits to learning-based cognitive change via BrowZine

Augmenting intelligence: Developmental limits to learning-based cognitive change
Papageorgiou, Eleni; Christou, Constantinos; Spanoudis, George; Demetriou, Andreas
Intelligence, Vol. 56 – 2016: 16 - 27

10.1016/j.intell.2016.02.005

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Testing for Joy and Grit? Schools Nationwide Push to Measure Students’ Emotional Skills.

Interesting arguments.  Yes, we clearly don't have good measures of such skills.  Yet, they are important.  I've been writing about moving "Beyond IQ" and a Model of Academic Competence and Motivation for many years...starting when No Child Left Behind started...see this link .... 

http://www.iqscorner.com/2013/02/the-motvation-and-academic-competence.html

Testing for Joy and Grit? Schools Nationwide Push to Measure Students' Emotional Skills.

From The New York Times on Flipboard

SAN FRANCISCO — The fifth graders in Jade Cooney's classroom compete against a kitchen timer during lessons to…

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A watershed model of individual differences in fluid intelligence

More on white matter matters

A watershed model of individual differences in fluid intelligence

Abstract Fluid intelligence is a crucial cognitive ability that predicts key life outcomes across the lifespan. Strong empirical links…

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******************************************************

Kevin McGrew, PhD

Educational Psychologist

Director, Institute for Applied Psychometrics

IAP

www.themindhub.com

******************************************************

White matter matters! An oldie-but-goodie (OBG) post

White matter, in contrast to the grey squiggly mass (the cerebrum) that most people associate with the human brain, was for many years the research step-child to the cerebrum. That is no more. White matter, which has been called the brain's subway, super information system, or interstate highway communication system, now has a glass slipper. Research during the past decade has implicated white matter as performing the critical task of connecting and synchronizing different brain regions or networks so they can perform a wide variety of complex human cognitive or motor behaviors. The white matter system is considered the communication backbone system for the flow of information in the brain. Of particular interest (to me) is the parietal-frontal network, which is implicated as central to abstract human intelligence, fluid intelligence (Gf), working memory and attentional control (see prior posts re: the P-FIT model).

In a MindHub white paper I hypothesized that increasing white matter tract integrity may be a key mechanism behind the efficacy of the Interactive Metronome neuro-timing intervention (see figure below). I have gone as far as suggesting that the efficacy of many brain training/fitness programs may stem from a common domain-general effect--improving communication between and within various brain network(s) via more efficient white matter tract speed and communication. [Click on image to enlarge]

White matter integrity or dysfunction as been implicated in a wide variety of cognitive disorders or abilities, including cognitive control, math and intellectual giftedness, fluid intelligence or reasoning, processing speed, reading, decrease in cognitive functioning, meditation, working memory, vascular cognitive impairment, ADHD, autism, and cognitve and language maturation in infants. A sampling of recent white matter research article abstracts I have accumulated can be found by clicking here.
White matter matters!

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Research Byte: Speed and accuracy indicators of test performance under different instructional conditions: Intelligence correlates via BrowZine

Speed and accuracy indicators of test performance under different instructional conditions: Intelligence correlates
Ackerman, Phillip L.; Ellingsen, Victor J.
Intelligence, Vol. 56 – 2016: 1 - 9

10.1016/j.intell.2016.02.004

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Kevin McGrew NASP 2016 workshop files as promised' - "Intelligent" intelligence testing with the WJ IV cognitive battery

As promised to those who attended my NASP 1/2 workshop, I am now making almost every slide I presented available (as well as a large number of slides not presented)....one slide per page in full color.  They are PDF files, as the original PPT files are massive.  The only thing missing are some special slides with considerable animation.  Three of the files are large...so download with a strong internet connection.  Click on each link below...there are four different files to download.  I apologize for the slight delay....I returned from NOLA with the flue and spent all  of last week recovering.

• kmnasp2016a.pdf
• kmnasp2016b.pdf
• kmnasp2016c.pdf
• kmnasp2016d.pdf

Enjoy

How to evaluate the unusualness (base rate) of WJ IV cluster or test score differences: It is a pleasure to use the correct measure - A SlideShare presentation

The WJ IV provides two primary methods for comparing tests or cluster scores.  One is based on a predictive model (the variation and comparison procedures) and the other allows comparisons of SEM confidence bands, which takes into account each measures reliability.  A third method for comparing scores, one that takes into account the correlation between compared measures (ability cohesion model) is not provided, but is frequently used by assessment professionals.  The three types of score comparison methods are described and new information, via a "rule of thumb" summary slide and nomograph, are provided to allow WJ IV users to evaluate scores via all three methods.

A PDF copy of the key WJ IV base rate rule-of-thumb slide can be found here.

How to evaulate the unusualness (base rate) of WJ IV cluster or test score differences: It is a pleasure to use the correct measure from Kevin McGrew

More on The Composite Score Extremity Effect: Must see animated visualizations at Joel Schneider's blog

You must visit Joel Schneider's blog to see his awesome animations that help explain the composite score extremity effect.  They are worth viewing, even if one does not understand them :)  Click on wordpress.com and enjoy.

Photo: wordpress.com The Composite Score Extremity Effect wordpress.com · When a person scores exactly 2 standard deviations below the mean on several tests, it is intuitive that the composite score that summarizes these scores s... Read on Flipboard Read on wordpress.com

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Why are full scale IQ scores often lower (or higher) than the subscores? Dr. Joel Schneider on the "composite score extremity effect"

Bingo.  There is finally an excellent, relatively brief, explanation of the phenomena of why full scale IQ scores often diverge markedly from the arithmetic average of the component index or subtest scores.

This composite score extremity effect (Schneider, 2016)  has been well known by users of the WJ batteries.  Why....because the WJ has placed the global IQ composite and the individual tests on the same scale (M=100; SD=15).  In contrast, most other cognitive ability batteries (e.g., Wechslers) have the individual test scores on a different scale (M=10; SD=3).  The use of different scales has hidden this statistical score effect from users.  It has always been present.  I have written about this many times.  One can revisit my latest post on this issue here.

Now that the WISC-V measures a broader array of cognitive abilities (e.g., 5 index scores), users have been asking the same "why does the total IQ score not equal the average of the index scores?"  Why?  Because the five index scores are on the same scale as the full scale IQ score...and thus this composite score extremity effect is not hidden.  A recent thread on the NASP Community Exchange provides examples of psychologists wondering about this funky test score issue (click here to read).

As per usual, Dr. Schneider has provided intuitive explanations of this score effect, and for those who want more, extremely well written technical explanations.

The WJ IV ASB 7 can be downloaded by clicking here.  Although written in the context of the WJ IV, this ASB is relevant to all intelligence test batteries that provide a global IQ score that is the sum of part scores.

Kudos to Dr. Schneider.

Click on image to enlarge

Research Byte: Developmental Science and Executive Function via BrowZine

Developmental Science and Executive Function
Blair, C.
Current Directions in Psychological Science, Vol. 25 Issue 1 – 2016: 3 - 7

10.1177/0963721415622634

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Research Byte: Sharing Using Tablets to Collect Data From Young Children via BrowZine

Using Tablets to Collect Data From Young Children
Frank, Michael C.; Sugarman, Elise; Horowitz, Alexandra C.; Lewis, Molly L.; Yurovsky, Daniel
Journal of Cognition and Development, Vol. 17 Issue 1 – 2016: 1 - 17

10.1080/15248372.2015.1061528

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Research Byte: Schooling duration rather than chronological age predicts working memory between 6 and 7 years: Memory Maestros Study. - PubMed

Schooling duration rather than chronological age predicts working memory between 6 and 7 years: Memory Maestros Study. - PubMed

OBJECTIVE: Low working memory (WM) is strongly linked with poor academic…

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Neuro-hit or neuro-myth?

Neuro-hit or neuro-myth?

Teachers and parents have a great enthusiasm for the brain sciences and the light they can shed on children's and adults' learning in educational environments. We share that…

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Research Byte: Does Music Training Enhance Literacy Skills? A Meta-Analysis

Does Music Training Enhance Literacy Skills? A Meta-Analysis

Keywords: music training, reading, literacy, phonological awareness, meta-analysis, brain development Citation: Gordon RL, Fehd HM and…

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Research Byte: A general intelligence factor in dogs via BrowZine

Why not?

Research Byte: The relations between CHC cognitive abilities and aspects of social support

Which aspects of social support are associated with which cognitive abilities for which people?

Article in The Journals of Gerontology Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences · January 2016 with 12 Reads

Impact Factor: 3.21 · DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbv119

Abstract

Objectives.
To assess the relations between 11 aspects of social support and five cognitive abilities (vocabulary, reasoning, spatial visualization, memory, and speed of processing) and to determine whether these relations between social support and cognition are moderated by age or sex.

Method.
A sample of 2,613 individuals between the ages of 18 and 99 years completed a battery of cognitive tests and a questionnaire assessing aspects of social support. A measure of general intelligence was computed using principal components analysis. Multiple regressions were used to evaluate whether each aspect of support and/or its interactions with age or sex predicted each cognitive ability and g.

Results.
Several aspects of social support were significantly related to all five cognitive abilities and to g. When g was included as a predictor, there were few relations with specific cognitive abilities. Age and sex did not moderate any of the relations.

Discussion.
These results suggest that contact with family and friends, emotional and informational support, anticipated support, and negative interactions are related to cognition, whereas satisfaction with and tangible support were not. In addition, these aspects of support were primarily related to g, with the exception of family contact. Social support– cognition relations are comparable across the life span and the sexes.

Research Byte: Cognitive training enhances intrinsic brain connectivity in childhood. - Abstract

Cognitive training enhances intrinsic brain connectivity in childhood. - Abstract

Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H.,…

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Book nook: WJ IV Clinical Use and Interpretation edited book (Flanagan and Alfonso) now available (2016)

I believe that this WJ IV resource is now available.  A link to information regarding the book from publisher is here.  A PDF copy of the book at can be downloaded here.

I am not a contributor or author of this book.  However, as per stated conflict of interests, I need to disclose that I am a coauthor of the WJ IV and thus have a potential  indirect financial interest in the success of this book.

Kudos to Dawn and Vinny and all the contributors