IQ's Corner

Tuesday, November 08, 2022

When does working memory get better with longer time? - PsycNET

When does working memory get better with longer time? - PsycNET
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fxlm0001199

Longer free time between presentation of verbal list items often leads to better immediate serial recall. The present series of three experiments demonstrates that this beneficial effect of time is more general than has been known: It is found for verbal items presented visually and auditorily (Experiments 1 and 2), and also when people engage in concurrent articulation during presentation, thereby preventing rehearsal (Experiment 3). The effect of time is to improve memory most strongly for the later part of the list, contrary to what is predicted from the assumption that time between items is used to bolster memory traces of already encoded items through rehearsal, refreshing, or elaboration. The data are compatible with a ballistic form of short-term consolidation, and with the assumption that encoding an item into working memory partially depletes a limited resource, which is replenished over time

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Kevin S. McGrew, PhD
Educational & School Psychologist
Director
Institute for Applied Psychometrics (IAP)
https://www.themindhub.com
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Monday, November 07, 2022

Network Models for Cognitive Development and Intelligence

Network Models for Cognitive Development and Intelligence
https://dare.uva.nl/search?identifier=781f22ef-02f2-40d2-b0dc-f9b2f03a1d4b

Cronbach's (1957) famous division of scientiﬁc psychology into two disciplines is still apparent for the ﬁelds of cognition (general mechanisms) and intelligence (dimensionality of individual differences). The welcome integration of the two ﬁelds requires the construction of mechanistic models of cognition and cognitive development that explain key phenomena in individual differences research. In this paper, we argue that network modeling is a promising approach to integrate the processes of cognitive development and (developing) intelligence into one uniﬁed theory. Network models are deﬁned mathematically, describe mechanisms on the level of the individual, and are able to explain positive correlations among intelligence subtest scores—the empirical basis for the well-known g -factor—as well as more complex factorial structures. Links between network modeling, factor modeling, and item response theory allow for a common metric, encompassing both discrete and continuous characteristics, for cognitive development and intelligence. With low vertical pressure (path a ), switches in the middle point of the are continuous, with high vertical pressure (path b ) they are sudden, exhibiting hysteresis, bimodality, divergence, and other typical characteristics of phase transitions.

Thursday, November 03, 2022

Measurement invariance in the social sciences: Historical development, methodological challenges, state of the art, and future perspectives - ScienceDirect

Measurement invariance in the social sciences: Historical development, methodological challenges, state of the art, and future perspectives - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0049089X22001168

Abstract
This review summarizes the current state of the art of statistical and (survey) methodological research on measurement (non)invariance, which is considered a core challenge for the comparative social sciences. After outlining the historical roots, conceptual details, and standard procedures for measurement invariance testing, the paper focuses in particular on the statistical developments that have been achieved in the last 10 years. These include Bayesian approximate measurement invariance, the alignment method, measurement invariance testing within the multilevel modeling framework, mixture multigroup factor analysis, the measurement invariance explorer, and the response shift-true change decomposition approach. Furthermore, the contribution of survey methodological research to the construction of invariant measurement instruments is explicitly addressed and highlighted, including the issues of design decisions, pretesting, scale adoption, and translation. The paper ends with an outlook on future research perspectives.

Wednesday, November 02, 2022

From MDPI: "Exploring Neural Signal Complexity as a Potential Link between Creative Thinking, Intelligence, and Cognitive Control"

https://www.mdpi.com/1384150:

Exploring Neural Signal Complexity as a Potential Link between Creative Thinking, Intelligence, and Cognitive ControlFunctional connectivity studies have demonstrated that creative thinking builds upon an interplay of multiple neural networks involving the cognitive control system. Theoretically, cognitive control has generally been discussed as the common basis underlying the positive relationship between creative thinking and intelligence. However, the literature still lacks a detailed investigation of the association patterns between cognitive control, the factors of creative thinking as measured by divergent thinking (DT) tasks, i.e., fluency and originality, and intelligence, both fluid and crystallized. In the present study, we explored these relationships at the behavioral and the neural level, based on N = 77 young adults. We focused on brain-signal complexity (BSC), parameterized by multi-scale entropy (MSE), as measured during a verbal DT and a cognitive control task. We demonstrated that MSE is a sensitive neural indicator of originality as well as inhibition. Then, we explore the relationships between MSE and factor scores indicating DT and intelligence. In a series of across-scalp analyses, we show that the overall MSE measured during a DT task, as well as MSE[...]

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Kevin McGrew, PhD
Educational Psychologist
Director, Institute for Applied Psychometrics
IAP
www.themindhub.com
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Friday, October 28, 2022

Assessment: The power and potential of psychological testing, educational measurement, and program evaluation around the world. - PsycNET

Assessment: The power and potential of psychological testing, educational measurement, and program evaluation around the world. - PsycNET
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0000311-003

Assessment is a broad, globally relevant, and much-needed area of inquiry and practice—with tremendous power and potential. Psychologists are leaders and experts in assessment, with specialized knowledge in research design; statistics; and, of course, psychological testing, measurement, and evaluation. This chapter discusses assessment broadly, focusing on its centrality to psychology and research. It also discusses contemporary national assessment practices considering the "big four" specialties: clinical, counseling, school, and industrial/organizational psychology. The chapter presents basic competencies, including what applied psychologists do in the United States. It discusses three important international assessment topics: psychological testing, educational measurement, and program evaluation. The chapter explains cross-cultural issues in assessment, including test translation and adaptation. It highlights challenges, opportunities, and cutting edge exemplars, including therapeutic assessment, formative educational testing and item development, and transformative program evaluation. The chapter offers practical suggestions for developing global assessment competencies and participating in the international assessment community. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Thursday, October 27, 2022

Social and Emotional Variables as Predictors of Students’ Perceived Cognitive Competence and Academic Performance - Maryam Hachem, Guher Gorgun, Man-Wai Chu, Okan Bulut, 2022

Social and Emotional Variables as Predictors of Students' Perceived Cognitive Competence and Academic Performance - Maryam Hachem, Guher Gorgun, Man-Wai Chu, Okan Bulut, 2022
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08295735221118474

Abstract

Research extensively highlights the importance of social-emotional skills in learning and development. In this study, we evaluated whether social and emotional variables directly impact students' perceived cognitive competence and academic performance through a structural equation model. Survey responses (N = 29,384) were collected from 114 K-12 schools in a large school district in Alberta. Results showed that cognitive competence was directly predicted by social cognition and social competence but indirectly by emotional competence through the mediating effect of social competence. Academic performance was also directly predicted by social cognition. Cognitive competence was positively associated with academic emotions, while academic performance was negatively associated with them. Overall, our findings suggest that learning is a highly social process, and investing in the development of social-emotional skills must be a priority, with a primary focus on creating positive and supportive learning environments. Future research may adjust this model and target more specific social-emotional variables.

Study is relevant to my prior publication regarding CAMML (Cognitive-Affective-Motivation Model of Learning)

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Individual Differences in Attentional Control Predict Working Memory Capacity in Adults who Stutter - ScienceDirect

Attentional control (Gwm-AC) strikes again as a key cognitive ability.

Individual Differences in Attentional Control Predict Working Memory Capacity in Adults who Stutter - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0021992422000910

HIGHLIGHTS

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Attentional control predicts working memory capacity in adults who stutter
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Activating simple linguistic stimuli may be more difficult for adults who stutter as a group
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Adults who stutter who have higher executive control may be less susceptible to dual-task effects

Friday, September 23, 2022

What do undergraduates learn about human intelligence? An analysis of introductory psychology textbooks.

https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2018-07714-001.html

Human intelligence is an important construct in psychology, with far-reaching implications, providing insights into fields as diverse as neurology, international development, and sociology. Additionally, IQ scores can predict life outcomes in health, education, work, and socioeconomic status. Yet, students of psychology are often exposed to human intelligence only in limited ways. To ascertain what psychology students typically learn about intelligence, we analyzed the content of 29 of the most popular introductory psychology textbooks to learn (a) the most frequently taught topics related to human intelligence, (b) the accuracy of information about human intelligence, and (c) the presence of logical fallacies about intelligence research. We found that 79.3% of textbooks contained inaccurate statements and 79.3% had logical fallacies in their sections about intelligence. The five most commonly taught topics were IQ (93.1% of books), Gardner's multiple intelligences (93.1%), Spearman's g (93.1%), Sternberg's triarchic theory (89.7%), and how intelligence is measured (82.8%). Conversely, modern models of intelligence were only discussed in 24.1% of books, with only one book discussing the Carroll three-stratum model by name and no book discussing bifactor models of intelligence. We conclude that most introductory psychology students are exposed to some inaccurate information and may have the mistaken impression that nonmainstream theories (e.g., Sternberg's or Gardner's theories) are as empirically supported as g theory. This has important implications for the undergraduate curriculum and textbook authors. Readers should be aware of the limitations of the study, including the choice of standards for accuracy for the study and the inherent subjectivity required for some of the data collection process.

Thursday, September 22, 2022

The genetics of specific cognitive abilities - ScienceDirect

Posted this earlier in year when I saw in preprint. Formal pub now out.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289622000708

Most research on individual differences in performance on tests of cognitive ability focuses on general cognitive ability (g), the highest level in the three-level Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) hierarchical model of intelligence. About 50% of the variance of g is due to inherited DNA differences (heritability) which increases across development. Much less is known about the genetics of the middle level of the CHC model, which includes 16 broad factors such as fluid reasoning, processing speed, and quantitative knowledge. We provide a meta-analytic review of 747,567 monozygotic-dizygotic twin comparisons from 77 publications for these middle-level factors, which we refer to as specific cognitive abilities (SCA), even though these factors are not independent of g. Twin comparisons were available for 11 of the 16 CHC domains. The average heritability across all SCA is 56%, similar to that of g. However, there is substantial differential heritability across SCA and SCA do not show the developmental increase in heritability seen for g. We also investigated SCA independent of g (SCA.g). A surprising finding is that SCA.g remain substantially heritable (53% on average), even though 25% of the variance of SCA that covaries with g has been removed. Our review highlights the need for more research on SCA and especially on SCA.g. Despite limitations of SCA research, our review frames expectations for genomic research that will use polygenic scores to predict SCA and SCA.g. Genome-wide association studies of SCA.g are needed to create polygenic scores that can predict SCA profiles of cognitive abilities and disabilities independent of g.

Specific Learning Disability Identification in an RtI Method: Do Measures of Cognitive Ability Matter? - Hajovsky - Learning Disabilities Research & Practice - Wiley Online Library

Specific Learning Disability Identification in an RtI Method: Do Measures of Cognitive Ability Matter? - Hajovsky - Learning Disabilities Research & Practice - Wiley Online Library
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ldrp.12292

This study examined the extent to which cognitive ability index scores predicted multidisciplinary teams' (MDT) SLD identification within a response-to-intervention (RtI) method after accounting for RtI slope and norm-referenced achievement scores. Results showed that four achievement composite scores (i.e., basic reading, reading comprehension, math computation, and math problem solving) and two cognitive ability index scores (i.e., crystallized ability, working memory) predicted MDT-determined SLD, explaining 81% of the variance. The inclusion of academic achievement and cognitive ability index scores predicted MDT-determined SLD with 90% accuracy; cognitive ability index scores only increased specificity (sensitivity = 95%; specificity = 79%). RtI slope did not predict MDT-determined SLD, which was a required component of the evaluation.

Saturday, September 10, 2022

g's little helpers – VOTAT and NOTAT mediate the relation between intelligence and complex problem solving - ScienceDirect

g's little helpers – VOTAT and NOTAT mediate the relation between intelligence and complex problem solving - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160289622000666

Abstract
Intelligence and complex problem solving (CPS) correlate closely, but little is known about the mechanism that translates intelligence into successful CPS. Therefore, this study considered the strategic exploration behaviors VOTAT (vary-one-thing-at-a-time) and NOTAT (vary no-thing-at-a-time) as possible mediators. A sample of 495 high-school students worked on nine CPS tasks, six of which with solely direct effects and three with direct and eigendynamic effects. We expected substantial mediation effects if the applied strategic behaviors were optimal to identify the particular underlying effect types (i.e., direct effects: VOTAT; direct and eigendynamic effects: VOTAT and NOTAT). The model for tasks with only direct effects revealed VOTAT and NOTAT to be substantial mediators: Whereas VOTAT showed substantial positive relations to intelligence and CPS performance, NOTAT unexpectedly showed substantial negative relations. Both VOTAT and NOTAT resulted in significant indirect mediation effects. The model for tasks with direct and eigendynamic effects showed substantial positive relations of VOTAT and NOTAT to intelligence and CPS-performance and resulted in significant and positive indirect mediation effects. Moreover, the indirect effects differed between VOTAT and NOTAT and across the two facets of CPS performance. Overall, strategic exploration behaviors are relevant for explaining the g-CPS-relation.

Friday, September 02, 2022

Capital Defendants with Intellectual Disability | Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

Capital Defendants with Intellectual Disability | Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
http://jaapl.org/content/50/3/484?etoc

In Jackson v. Payne, 9 F.4th 646 (8th Cir. 2021), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed the federal district court ruling that defendant Alvin Bernal Jackson was intellectually disabled and thus was ineligible for the death penalty. The Eighth Circuit found that the district court's ruling, which did not credit Mr. Jackson's adaptive functioning strengths, was consistent with Arkansas' statutory requirements and U.S. Supreme Court precedent.

Psychological assessment reports for linguistically minoritized clients: Considerations for ethical and professional practice. - PsycNET

Psychological assessment reports for linguistically minoritized clients: Considerations for ethical and professional practice. - PsycNET
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-96586-001

Abstract
According to the national census, approximately a fifth of the adult population in the United States uses a language other than English in their home. Less precise information is available regarding the language preferences of children and adolescents, D/deaf individuals, and other individuals in the United States who are not represented in national surveys. The field of psychology has increasingly acknowledged and addressed the lived experiences of culturally and linguistically minoritized individuals in the United States through relevant research and clinical practice guidelines. As a result, more accessible and equitable practices for psychological assessments have been developed when working with linguistically minoritized clients. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of information in the extant literature regarding drafting psychological assessment reports for linguistically minoritized clients. This article explores the ethical and professional responsibilities of psychologists when engaged in this work and provides proposed practices for drafting and delivering accessible assessment reports for linguistically minoritized clients. Recommendations are provided regarding how psychologists can share the results of an assessment with a referral source using written English and also support a client in accessing the information in their primary language. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Monday, August 29, 2022

J. Intell. | Special Issue : Assessment of Human Intelligence—State of the Art in the 2020s

J. Intell. | Special Issue : Assessment of Human Intelligence—State of the Art in the 2020s
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jintelligence/special_issues/LRE0G69EF7

Friday, August 26, 2022

How robust is the relationship between neural processing speed and cognitive abilities? - Schubert - Psychophysiology - Wiley Online Library

How robust is the relationship between neural processing speed and cognitive abilities? - Schubert - Psychophysiology - Wiley Online Library
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/psyp.14165

Individual differences in processing speed are consistently related to individual differences in cognitive abilities, but the mechanisms through which a higher processing speed facilitates reasoning remain largely unknown. To identify these mechanisms, researchers have been using latencies of the event-related potential (ERP) to study how the speed of cognitive processes associated with specific ERP components is related to cognitive abilities. Although there is some evidence that latencies of ERP components associated with higher-order cognitive processes are related to intelligence, results are overall quite inconsistent. These inconsistencies likely result from variations in analytic procedures and little consideration of the psychometric properties of ERP latencies in relatively small sample studies. Here we used a multiverse approach to evaluate how different analytical choices regarding references, low-pass filter cutoffs, and latency measures affect the psychometric properties of P2, N2, and P3 latencies and their relations with cognitive abilities in a sample of 148 participants. Latent correlations between neural processing speed and cognitive abilities ranged from -.49 to -.78. ERP latency measures contained about equal parts of measurement error variance and systematic variance, and only about half of the systematic variance was related to cognitive abilities, whereas the other half reflected nuisance factors. We recommend addressing these problematic psychometric properties by recording EEG data from multiple tasks and modeling relations between ERP latencies and covariates in latent variable models. All in all, our results indicate that there is a substantial and robust relationship between neural processing speed and cognitive abilities when those issues are addressed

Monday, August 22, 2022

A meta-analysis on air traffic controllers selection: cognitive and non-cognitive predictors - ScienceDirect

A meta-analysis on air traffic controllers selection: cognitive and non-cognitive predictors - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000187912200080X?via%3Dihub

Abstract
This psychometric meta-analysis investigated the relation of cognitive and non-cognitive factors to the training success of Air Traffic Controllers by synthesizing 51 studies (N = 65,839). Cognitive factors were classified by Cattel-Horn-Carrol theory. Cognitive composite scores and work samples were also included. Non-cognitive factors consisted of Big Five personality traits, biodata, motivation and non-cognitive composite scores. Medium effect was measured for cognitive factors (k = 45, p = .37). Quantitative knowledge, processing speed, work sample, short-term working memory, cognitive composite and visuo-spatial processing predictors showed large effects (p > .30). Significant moderating effects of criterion nature and period of publication were observed. Initial training (k = 30, p = .50) was generally better predicted than on-the-job training (k = 25, p = .18). Better predictive validity was measured from the 60's to nowadays. For non-cognitive factors, only a small effect was measured (k = 24, p = .15). Non-cognitive composites and education showed large effects (p > .30). No significant relation was measured between Big Five personality traits and success criteria. The present findings suggest that selection processes used for Air Traffic Controllers should focus on cognitive predictors or other methods of assessments. Data and scripts can be found at https://osf.io/mkyw7/.

Monday, August 15, 2022

Intelligence Correlates with the Temporal Variability of Brain Networks - ScienceDirect

Intelligence Correlates with the Temporal Variability of Brain Networks - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306452222004043?via%3Dihub

Abstract
Intelligence is the ability to recognize and understand objective things, and use knowledge and experience to solve problems. Highly intelligent people show the ability to switch between different thought patterns and shift their mental focus. This suggests a link between intelligence and the dynamic interaction of brain networks. Thus, we investigated the relationships between resting-state dynamic brain network remodeling (temporal variability) and scores on the Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scale using a large dataset comprising 606 individuals. We found that performance intelligence was associated with greater temporal variability in the functional connectivity patterns of the dorsal attention network. High variability in these areas indicates flexible connectivity patterns, which may contribute to cognitive processes such as attention selection. In addition, performance intelligence was related to greater temporal variability in the functional connectivity patterns of the salience network. Thus, this study revealed a close relationship between performance intelligence and high variability in brain networks involved in attentional choice, spatial orientation, and cognitive control.

Saturday, August 06, 2022

J. Intell. | Free Full-Text | Intelligence IS Cognitive Flexibility: Why Multilevel Models of Within-Individual Processes Are Needed to Realise This

J. Intell. | Free Full-Text | Intelligence IS Cognitive Flexibility: Why Multilevel Models of Within-Individual Processes Are Needed to Realise This
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/10/3/49

Abstract
Despite substantial evidence for the link between an individual's intelligence and successful life outcomes, questions about what defines intelligence have remained the focus of heated dispute. The most common approach to understanding intelligence has been to investigate what performance on tests of intellect is and is not associated with. This psychometric approach, based on correlations and factor analysis is deficient. In this review, we aim to substantiate why classic psychometrics which focus on between-person accounts will necessarily provide a limited account of intelligence until theoretical considerations of within-person accounts are incorporated. First, we consider the impact of entrenched psychometric presumptions that support the status quo and impede alternative views. Second, we review the importance of process-theories, which are critical for any serious attempt to build a within-person account of intelligence. Third, features of dynamic tasks are reviewed, and we outline how static tasks can be modified to target within-person processes. Finally, we explain how multilevel models are conceptually and psychometrically well-suited to building and testing within-individual notions of intelligence, which at its core, we argue is cognitive flexibility. We conclude by describing an application of these ideas in the context of microworlds as a case study. View Full-Text
Keywords: cognitive flexibility; ergodic assumption; formative models; multilevel models; complex problem-solving

Friday, August 05, 2022

Reassessment of innovative methods to determine the number of factors: A simulation-based comparison of exploratory graph analysis and next eigenvalue sufficiency test. - PsycNET

Reassessment of innovative methods to determine the number of factors: A simulation-based comparison of exploratory graph analysis and next eigenvalue sufficiency test. - PsycNET
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fmet0000527

Brandenburg, N., & Papenberg, M. (2022). Reassessment of innovative methods to determine the number of factors: A simulation-based comparison of exploratory graph analysis and next eigenvalue sufficiency test. Psychological Methods. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000527

Next Eigenvalue Sufficiency Test (NEST; Achim, 2017) is a recently proposed method to determine the number of factors in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). NEST sequentially tests the null-hypothesis that k factors are sufficient to model correlations among observed variables. Another recent approach to detect factors is exploratory graph analysis (EGA; Golino & Epskamp, 2017), which rules the number of factors equal to the number of nonoverlapping communities in a graphical network model of observed correlations. We applied NEST and EGA to data sets under simulated factor models with known numbers of factors and scored their accuracy in retrieving this number. Specifically, we aimed to investigate the effects of cross-loadings on the performance of NEST and EGA. In the first study, we show that NEST and EGA performed less accurately in the presence of cross-loadings on two factors compared with factor models without cross-loadings: We observed that EGA was more sensitive to cross-loadings than NEST. In the second study, we compared NEST and EGA under simulated circumplex models in which variables showed cross-loadings on two factors. Study 2 magnified the differences between NEST and EGA in that NEST was generally able to detect factors in circumplex models while EGA preferred solutions that did not match the factors in circumplex models. In total, our studies indicate that the assumed correspondence between factors and nonoverlapping communities does not hold in the presence of substantial cross-loadings. We conclude that NEST is more in line with the concept of factors in factor models than EGA. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Impact Statement
Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is a method to develop hypotheses concerning common factors governing correlations among variables. This makes EFA a valuable instrument in various fields of psychology (such as test development). A key problem in EFA is to determine the optimal number of factors that fits observed correlations and keeps resulting models parsimonious. Contemporary research on this problem does not provide consensus on the optimal solution. Next Eigenvalue Sufficiency Test (NEST; Achim, 2017) and exploratory graph analysis (EGA; Golino & Epskamp, 2017) are recently proposed methods to approach this problem. Both were shown to determine accurately the number of factors in simulated factor models in which variables indicated one factor each. In our report, we compare NEST and EGA with simulated factor models in which each variable indicated multiple factors to varying degrees. These conditions suit validation of methods to detect factors because the premise of an unknown number of factors implies that one may not assume how many factors link to individual variables. We conducted two simulation studies: In Study 1, we show that methods detect factors less accurately when variables indicated multiple factors each and highlight that EGA suffered stronger than NEST. In Study 2, we simulated circumplex models—a particular class of factor models—and show that NEST achieved high accuracy while EGA was strikingly inaccurate. We discuss reasons for the methods' performances and argue that the signal that EGA detects is incongruent on a statistical level with the understanding of factors in factor analysis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Tuesday, August 02, 2022

Wayfinding in Children: A Descriptive Literature Review of Research Methods: The Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol 0, No 0

Large scale spatial navigation is part of Gv domain.

Wayfinding in Children: A Descriptive Literature Review of Research Methods: The Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol 0, No 0
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00221325.2022.2103789

Abstract
Wayfinding refers to the process of locating unseen destinations in the spatial environment and is an important spatial skill for children. Despite a growing interest in wayfinding development in children, less attention has been focused on documenting the vast methodological heterogeneity of the existing research body, which impacts the ability to synthesize results across different studies. This review aims to systematically catalog and examine the research methods of the wayfinding development literature. We identified a total of 96 studies that examined 4- to 16- year-old children's wayfinding of unfamiliar, large-scale environments and were published between 1965 and 2020. Based on the environments, we grouped these studies into virtual reality (VR) vs. real-life and indoor vs. outdoor. The review revealed a vast diversity in research methods regarding participants, environments, independent variables (IVs), environmental exposure, dependent variables (DVs), and cognitive/behavioral correlates. The field has seen growing research interests in VR environments and atypical development. The most common IVs focused on the environmental features of landmarks and turn information. Relatively less research considered how different cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and learning contribute to wayfinding. Various outcome measures have been used to investigate landmark, route, and survey knowledge regarding DVs. This review showed an imbalance of topic areas in the field, systematic differences between different types of studies, and the need for greater attention on a number of important topics. Finally, we provided targeted, detailed recommendations for future research.

Process-oriented intelligence research: A review from the cognitive perspective - ScienceDirect

Process-oriented intelligence research: A review from the cognitive perspective - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289622000629?via%3Dihub

Abstract
Despite over a century of research on intelligence, the cognitive processes underlying intelligent behavior are still unclear. In this review, we summarize empirical results investigating the contribution of cognitive processes associated with working memory capacity, processing speed, and executive processes to intelligence differences. Specifically, we (a) evaluate how cognitive processes associated with the three different cognitive domains have been measured, and (b) how these processes are related to individual differences in intelligence. Consistently, this review illustrates that isolating single cognitive processes using average performance in cognitive tasks is hardly possible. Instead, formal models that implement theories of cognitive processes underlying performance in different cognitive tasks may provide more adequate indicators of single cognitive processes. Therefore, we outlined which models for working memory capacity, processing speed, and executive processes may provide more specific insights into cognitive processes associated with individual differences in intelligence. Finally, we discuss implications of a process-oriented intelligence research using cognitive measurement models for psychometric theories of intelligence and argue that a model-based approach might overcome validity problems of traditional intelligence theories.

Saturday, July 02, 2022

Can a Neandertal meditate? An evolutionary view of attention as a core component of general intelligence - ScienceDirect

Can a Neandertal meditate? An evolutionary view of attention as a core component of general intelligence - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160289622000496

Interesting speculations, particularly (IMHO) the role of attention in intelligence, which is related to contemporary research that has suggested that attentional control (Gwm-AC) may be one of the most central causal mechanisms of intelligence.

Attention might be considered a key component of intelligence, and its cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms probably underwent profound changes in the course of human evolution. Attention can be conceived as a "limiting factor" for general intelligence (g), as the ability to maintain a selective coordination of specific cognitive processes through time regardless of conflicting stimuli. In this perspective review, we consider the paleontological and archaeological evidence that may supply information on the evolution of the attention system in the human genus. In terms of anatomy, the paleoneurological record suggests that the parietal cortex experienced a relative enlargement in Neandertals and, most prominently, in modern humans. These anatomical variations match cultural changes associated with technological and social complexity. Inferences in cognitive archaeology indicate that Homo sapiens is also specialized for working memory and visuospatial integration, when compared with extinct human taxa. These features are likely associated with changes in the attention system, and in cognitive processes dealing with meta-awareness, conscious control of mind wandering, resistance to distractors, and management of emotional clues. Although these inferences are inevitably speculative, they might stimulate a comprehensive interpretation of the technological and social behaviours associated with the evolution of the human genus, bridging together psychology and evolutionary anthropology.

Friday, July 01, 2022

Numerosity sense correlates with fluent mathematical abilities - ScienceDirect

Numerosity sense correlates with fluent mathematical abilities - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691822001706?via%3Dihub

Abstract
Although a great deal of research has shown a relationship between numerosity sense and mathematical ability, some studies have failed to do so. The main source of this inconsistency could be the varied ways of measuring mathematical abilities. The current investigation explored several types of mathematical ability, from basic number processing and arithmetic computation to numerical reasoning and arithmetic learning. We hypothesized that the correlation between numerosity sense and mathematical ability depends on mathematical fluency. A total of 415 college students (178 males and 237 females, mean age = 20.42 years, range = 18.58–22.92 years) were recruited to complete seven mathematical tasks and two numerosity tasks, as well as other tasks that measured cognitive covariates. The results showed that after controlling for age, gender, and related general cognitive factors, numerosity sense still predicted substantial variation in parity judgment, visual digit comparison, and computation, but it did not predict variation in numerosity estimation, auditory digit comparison, number series completion, or digit associate learning. The results suggest that numerosity sense correlates with mathematical abilities that accompany fluency.

Monday, June 27, 2022

Examination of differential effects of cognitive abilities on reading and mathematics achievement across race and ethnicity: Evidence with the WJ IV - ScienceDirect

COI…I have a financial interest in the WJ IV as one of its authors.

Examination of differential effects of cognitive abilities on reading and mathematics achievement across race and ethnicity: Evidence with the WJ IV - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022440522000462

There has been little research investigating the predictive validity of modern intelligence tests for racially and ethnically diverse students. The validity of test score interpretation within educational and psychological assessment assumes that test scores predict educationally relevant phenomena equally well for individuals, regardless of group membership (American Educational Research Association et al., 2014; Messick, 1995; Warne et al., 2014). We used multiple group latent variable structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate Cattell-Horn-Carroll general (g) and broad cognitive abilities on reading and mathematics achievement and whether these differed between racial (African American, Asian, and Caucasian) and ethnic (Hispanic, non-Hispanic) children and adolescents within the Woodcock-Johnson IV norming sample (N = 3127). After establishing construct equivalence across racial and ethnic groups, supporting the consistent calculation of composite scores regardless of group membership, we then examined the predictive validity of intelligence on achievement. After controlling for parent education, findings suggested two instances of differential predictive relations: (a) general intelligence had larger influences on basic reading skills for Caucasians when compared to Asian peers, and (b) comprehension-knowledge had larger influences on basic reading skills for Asians when compared to Caucasian peers. The overall pattern of findings suggests there is little to no predictive bias with the WJ IV. However, the findings indicate that when latent mean differences exist (after establishing strong factorial invariance), then bias will be introduced into the estimation of regression parameters used to identify differential predictive validity. Thus, even when measurement invariance is supported, differential prediction bias is inevitable when there are mean differences in the scores used as predictors. Future test bias research should consider latent ability differences and how that may impact findings of bias, and possibly, socioeconomic status-related indicators when assessing for measurement or prediction bias in intelligence and achievement tests.

Tuesday, June 07, 2022

Structure of working memory in children from 3 to 8 years old. - PsycNET

Structure of working memory in children from 3 to 8 years old. - PsycNET
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-66912-001

Abstract
Several models of working memory (WM) have been proposed in the literature. Most of the research on the architecture of WM is based on adults or older children, but less is known about younger children. In this study, we tested various models of WM on a sample of 739 Italian children, ranging in age from 3 to 8 years, primarily of European heritage and from medium to medium–high socioeconomic background. Participants were assessed with 12 WM tasks, systematically varying the modality and level of executive control required (based on the number of activities to be performed at once: retention alone, ignoring distractors, and dealing with dual tasks). We examined younger children (n = 501, M_age = 56.8 months, SD = 6.4, 48% boys) and older children (n = 238, M_age = 80.0 months, SD = 9.0, 58% boys) separately using multigroup confirmatory factor analyses. A Bayesian analytical approach was adopted. Our results suggested that a four-factor model distinguishing between verbal, visual, spatial–simultaneous, and spatial–sequential components of WM achieved the best fit. Overall, the WM structure was very similar in the two groups. We further explored this result with an additional model with a central executive factor loaded on high-control tasks only and found evidence for the presence of an executive control component. The contribution of this factor in terms of explained variance was only modest, however. Our findings demonstrate that it is important to distinguish between WM components in young children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Friday, May 20, 2022

Intelligence and wisdom: Age-related differences and nonlinear relationships. - PsycNET

Intelligence and wisdom: Age-related differences and nonlinear relationships. - PsycNET
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fpag0000692

Using data from two studies, we tested three predictions about the relationship between intelligence and wisdom: (a) Relationships between intelligence and wisdom are "triangular" rather than linear, that is, intelligence is a necessary but not sufficient condition for wisdom; (b) intelligence is primarily related to cognition-focused measures and performance measures of wisdom; (c) the relationship between wisdom and intelligence varies by intelligence domain and age-group. In Study 1, 318 participants from three age-groups (adolescents: 15–20 years; younger adults: 30–40 years; older adults: 60–70 years) completed measures of fluid and crystallized intelligence and the Berlin wisdom paradigm (BWP). Necessary-condition analyses showed "triangular" relationships between intelligence and wisdom. Crystallized intelligence was a necessary condition for wisdom in all age-groups; fluid intelligence was a necessary condition for wisdom in adolescents and young adults below a certain intelligence threshold. In Study 2, a life span sample of 155 participants (Age-group 1: 23–57 years, M = 45.0; Age-group 2: 58–90 years, M = 68.1) completed four measures of wisdom and measures of fluid and crystallized intelligence. Crystallized intelligence was a necessary but not sufficient condition for wisdom as measured by performance measures; fluid intelligence may also be a necessary condition for wisdom in advanced old age. Relationships with self-report measures of wisdom were zero for fluid and moderate and linear for crystallized intelligence. In other words, the role of intelligence for wisdom varies across conceptualizations of wisdom and across life phases. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Is Early Bilingual Experience Associated with Greater Fluid Intelligence in Adults?

Is Early Bilingual Experience Associated with Greater Fluid Intelligence in Adults?
https://www.mdpi.com/2226-471X/7/2/100

Emerging evidence suggests that early bilingual experience constrains the development of attentional processes in infants, and that some of these early bilingual adaptations could last into adulthood. However, it is not known whether the early adaptations in the attentional domain alter more general cognitive abilities. If they do, then we would expect that bilingual adults who learned their second language early in life would score more highly across cognitive tasks than bilingual adults who learned their second language later in life. To test this hypothesis, 170 adult participants were administered a well-established (non-verbal) measure of fluid intelligence: Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM). Fluid intelligence (the ability to solve novel reasoning problems, independent of acquired knowledge) is highly correlated with numerous cognitive abilities across development. Performance on the RAPM was greater in bilinguals than monolinguals, and greater in 'early bilinguals' (adults who learned their second language between 0–6 years) than 'late bilinguals' (adults who learned their second language after age 6 years). The groups did not significantly differ on a proxy of socioeconomic status. These results suggest that the difference in fluid intelligence between bilinguals and monolinguals is not a consequence of bilingualism per se, but of earlyadaptive processes. However, the finding may depend on how bilingualism is operationalized, and thus needs to be replicated with a larger sample and more detailed measures. View Full-Text
Keywords: bilingual advantage; bilingualism; child development; early bilingual; fluid reasoning; multiple-demand (MD) system; Raven's Progressive Matrices

Sunday, May 15, 2022

J. Intell. | Free Full-Text | Bridging Brain and Cognition: A Multilayer Network Analysis of Brain Structural Covariance and General Intelligence in a Developmental Sample of Struggling Learners

J. Intell. | Free Full-Text | Bridging Brain and Cognition: A Multilayer Network Analysis of Brain Structural Covariance and General Intelligence in a Developmental Sample of Struggling Learners
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3200/9/2/32

Abstract: Network analytic methods that are ubiquitous in other areas, such as systems neuroscience,

have recently been used to test network theories in psychology, including intelligence research.

The network or mutualism theory of intelligence proposes that the statistical associations among

cognitive abilities (e.g., specific abilities such as vocabulary or memory) stem from causal relations

among them throughout development. In this study, we used network models (specifically LASSO)

of cognitive abilities and brain structural covariance (grey and white matter) to simultaneously model

brain–behavior relationships essential for general intelligence in a large (behavioral, N = 805; cortical

volume, N = 246; fractional anisotropy, N = 165) developmental (ages 5–18) cohort of struggling

learners (CALM). We found that mostly positive, small partial correlations pervade our cognitive,

neural, and multilayer networks. Moreover, using community detection (Walktrap algorithm) and

calculating node centrality (absolute strength and bridge strength), we found convergent evidence

that subsets of both cognitive and neural nodes play an intermediary role 'between' brain and

behavior. We discuss implications and possible avenues for future studies.

Keywords: general intelligence; cortical volume; fractional anisotropy; brain structural covariance;

cognitive network neuroscience; multilayer network analysis

Sunday, May 01, 2022

The sexes do not differ in general intelligence, but they do in some specifics - ScienceDirect

The sexes do not differ in general intelligence, but they do in some specifics - ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160289622000320?via%3Dihub

Abstract
Reliable and meaningful sex differences exist in specific cognitive abilities despite no reliable or meaningful sex difference in general intelligence. Here we use Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory to highlight research findings related to sex differences in intelligence, with a focus on studies of test scores from comprehensive intelligence measures that were obtained from large and representative samples of children and adolescents. Female advantages in latent processing speed and male advantages in latent visual processing are the most meaningful and consistently reported sex differences regarding CHC broad cognitive abilities. Differences have been reported in narrow and specific ability constructs such as mental rotation and object memory location. In academic achievement, the largest and most consistent findings are female advantages in writing, whereas male advantages at higher math ability levels are also found. Empirical descriptions of sex differences should consider the breadth of the construct under study and incorporate analysis beyond simple mean differences. Score analysis methods that utilize multiple-group confirmatory factor models and multiple-indicator multiple cause models are useful to address the former, and analysis methods such as quantile regression and male-female ratio calculations along score distributions are useful to address the latter. An understanding of why specific ability differences exist in combination and in the presence of similarities will improve researchers' understanding of human cognition and educational achievements.