Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T16:40:24.376Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Fluid intelligence and executive functioning more alike than different?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2015

Loes van Aken ,
Roy P.C. Kessels ,
Ellen Wingbermühle ,
William M. van der Veld  and
Jos I.M. Egger
Loes van Aken*
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Roy P.C. Kessels
Affiliation:
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Department of Medical Psychology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Centre of Excellence for Korsakoff, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands
Ellen Wingbermühle
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
William M. van der Veld
Affiliation:
Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Jos I.M. Egger
Affiliation:
Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Pompe Institute for Forensic Psychiatry, Pro Persona, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
*
Loes van Aken, MSc Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry Stationsweg 46 5803 AC, Venray, the Netherlands. Tel: +31.478.527.339; Fax: +31.478.527.626; E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

Fluid intelligence (Gf) has been related to executive functioning (EF) in previous studies, and it is also known to be correlated with crystallized intelligence (Gc). The present study includes representative measures of Gf, Gc, and EF frequently used in clinical practice to examine this Gf–EF relation. It is hypothesised that the Gf–EF relation is higher than the Gc–EF relation, and that working memory in particular (as a measure of EF) shows a high contribution to this relation.

Method

Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on a mixed neuropsychiatric and non-clinical sample consisting of 188 participants, using the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test, and three executive tasks of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, covering working memory, planning skills, and set shifting.

Results

The model fitted the data well [χ2(24)=35.25, p=0.07, RMSEA=0.050]. A very high correlation between Gf and EF was found (0.91), with working memory being the most profound indicator. A moderate to high correlation between Gc and EF was present. Current results are consistent with findings of a strong relation between Gf and working memory.

Conclusion

Gf and EF are highly correlated. Gf dysfunction in neuropsychiatric patients warrants further EF examination and vice versa. It is discussed that results confirm the need to distinguish between specific versus general fluid/executive functioning, the latter being more involved when task complexity and novelty increase. This distinction can provide a more refined differential diagnosis and improve neuropsychiatric treatment indication.

Keywords

CANTABconfirmatory factor analysisintelligenceKAITneuropsychology
Type
Original Articles
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , February 2016 , pp. 31 - 37
Check for updates
Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2015 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Horn, JL, Cattell, RB. Refinement and test of the theory of fluid and crystallized general intelligences. J Edu Psychol 1966;57:253–270.Google Scholar
2. Kaufman, JC, Lichtenberger, EO, Kaufman, AS. Assessing the intelligence of adolescents with the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT). In: Reynolds CR, Kamphaus RW editors. Handbook of psychological and educational assessment of children: intelligence, aptitude, and achievement, 2nd edn. New York: Guilford Press, 2003. p. 174–186.Google Scholar
3. Kaufman, JC, Kaufman, SB, Plucker, JA. Contemporary theories of intelligence. In: Reisberg J editor. Oxford handbook of cognitive psychology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2013. p. 811–822.Google Scholar
4. Roca, M, Manes, F, Cetkovich, M et al. The relationship between executive functions and fluid intelligence in schizophrenia. Front Behav Neurosci 2014;8:46.Google Scholar
5. Diamond, A. Executive Functions. Annu Rev Psychol 2013;64:135–168.Google Scholar
6. Lezak, MD, Howieson, DG, Loring, DW. Neuropsychological assessment, 4th edn. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2004.Google Scholar
7. Miyake, A, Friedman, PF, Emerson, MJ, Witzki, AH, Howerter, A. The unity and diversity of executive functions and their contributions to complex ‘frontal lobe’ tasks: a latent variable analysis. Cognitive Psychol 2000;41:49–100.Google Scholar
8. Friedman, NP, Miyake, A, Corley, RP, Young, SE, DeFries, JC, Hewitt, JK. Not all executive functions are related to intelligence. Psychol Sci 2006;17:172–179.Google Scholar
9. McCabe, DP, Roediger, HL III, McDaniel, MA, Balota, DA, Hambrick, DZ. The relationship between working memory capacity and executive functioning: evidence for a common executive attention construct. Neuropsychology 2010;24:222–243.Google Scholar
10. Norman, DA, Shallice, T. Attention to action: willed and automatic control of behavior. In: Davidson RJ, Schwartz GE, Shapiro D editors. Consciousness and self-regulation: advances in research and theory. New York: Plenum, 1986. p. 1–18.Google Scholar
11. Duncan, J, Burgess, P, Emslie, H. Fluid intelligence after frontal lobe lesions. Neuropsychologia 1995;33:261–268.Google Scholar
12. Barbey, AK, Colom, R, Paul, EJ, Grafman, J. Architecture of fluid intelligence and working memory revealed by lesion mapping. Brain Struct Funct 2014;219:485–494.Google Scholar
13. Roca, M, Parr, A, Thompson, R et al. Executive function and fluid intelligence after frontal lobe lesions. Brain 2010;133:234–247.Google Scholar
14. Woolgar, A, Parr, A, Cusack, R et al. Fluid intelligence loss linked to restricted regions of damage within frontal and parietal cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2010;107:14899–14902.Google Scholar
15. Roca, M, Manes, F, Chade, A et al. The relationship between executive functions and fluid intelligence in Parkinson’s disease. Psychol Med 2012;42:2445–2452.Google Scholar
16. Roca, M, Manes, F, Gleichgerrcht, E et al. Intelligence and executive functions in frontotemporal dementia. Neuropsychology 2013;51:725–730.Google Scholar
17. Salthouse, TA, Pink, JE. Why is working memory related to fluid intelligence? Psychon Bull Rev 2008;15:364–371.Google Scholar
18. Salthouse, TA, Atkinson, TM, Berish, DE. Executive functioning as a potential mediator of age-related cognitive decline in normal adults. J Exp Psychol Gen 2003;132:566–594.Google Scholar
19. Salthouse, TA, Davis, HP. Organization of cognitive abilities and neuropsychological variables across the lifespan. Dev Rev 2006;26:31–54.Google Scholar
20. Duncan, J, Schramm, M, Thompson, R, Dumontheil, I. Task rules, working memory, and fluid intelligence. Psychon Bull Rev 2012;19:864–870.Google Scholar
21. Redick, TS, Unsworth, N, Kelly, AJ, Engle, RW. Faster, smarter? Working memory capacity and perceptual speed in relation to fluid intelligence. J Cogn Psychol 2012;24:844–854.Google Scholar
22. Unsworth, N, Engle, RW. Simple and complex memory spans and their relation to fluid abilities: evidence from list-length effects. J Mem Lang 2006;54:68–80.Google Scholar
23. Unterrainer, JM, Rahm, B, Kaller, CP et al. Planning abilities and the Tower of Londen: is this task measuring a discrete cognitive function? J clin Exp Neuropsychol 2010;26:846–856.Google Scholar
24. Kaufman, AS, Kaufman, NL. Manual for the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service, 1993.Google Scholar
25. Luria, AR. Higher cortical functions in man, 2nd edn. New York: Basic Books, 1980.Google Scholar
26. Piaget, J. Intellectual evolution from adolescence to adulthood. Hum Dev 2008;51:40–47.Google Scholar
27. Robbins, TW, James, M, Owen, AM et al. A study of performance on tests from the CANTAB battery sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction in a large sample of normal volunteers: implications for theories of executive functioning and cognitive ageing. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 1998;4:474–490.Google Scholar
28. Dekker, R, Mulder, J, Dekker, P. Nederlandstalige bewerking van de Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test: KAIT. De Psycholoog 2005;40:451–457.Google Scholar
29. Kaufman, AS. Tests of intelligence. In: Sternberg RJ editor. Handbook of intelligence. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. p. 445–476.Google Scholar
30. Mulder, JL, Dekker, R, Dekker, PH. Kaufman – Intelligentietest voor Adolescenten en Volwassenen. Leiden: PITS, 2005.Google Scholar
31. Parsey, CM, Schmitter-Edgecombe, M. Applications of technology in neuropsychological assessment. Clin Neuropsychol 2013;27:1328–1361.Google Scholar
32. Lowe, C, Rabbit, P. Test/re-test reliability of the CANTAB and ISPOC neuropsychological batteries: theoretical and practical issues. Neuropsychologia 1998;36:915–923.Google Scholar
33. Owen, AM, Downes, JJ, Sahakian, BJ, Polkey, CE, Robbins, TW. Planning and spatial working memory following frontal lobe lesions in man. Neuropsychologia 1990;28:1021–1034.Google Scholar
34. Jöreskog, KG, Sörbom, D. Lisrel 8.80 for Windows [Computer Software]. Lincolnwood, IL: Scientific Software International Inc, 2008.Google Scholar
35. Hu, L, Bentler, PM. Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Struct Equ Modeling 1999;6:1–55.Google Scholar
36. Anderson, TW, Amemiya, Y. The asymptotic normal distribution of estimators in factor analysis under general condition. Ann Stat 1988;16:759–771.Google Scholar
37. Satorra, A. Asymptotic robust inferences in the analysis of mean and covariance structures. Sociol Methodol 1992;22:249–278.Google Scholar
38. Satorra, A, Bentler, PM. Model conditions for asymptotic robustness in the analysis of linear relations. Comput Stat Data Anal 1990;10:235–249.Google Scholar
39. Kane, MJ, Hambrick, DZ, Tuholski, SW, Wilhelm, O, Payne, TW, Engle, RW. The generality of working memory capacity: a latent variable approach to verbal and visuospatial memory span and reasoning. J Exp Psychol Gen 2004;133:189–217.Google Scholar
40. Duncan, J. How intelligence happens. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010.Google Scholar
41. Schneider, WJ, Mcgrew, KS. The Cattell-Horn-Carroll model of intelligence. In: Flanagan DP, Harrison P editors. Contemporary intellectual assessment: theories, tests, and issues, 3rd edn. New York, NY: Guilford, 2012. p. 99–144.Google Scholar
42. Flanagan, DP, Alfonso, VC, Ortiz, SO, Dynda, AM. Cognitive assessment: progress in psychometric theories of intelligence, the structure of cognitive ability tests, and interpretive approaches to cognitive test performance. In: Saklofske DH, Reynolds CR, Schwean VL editors. The Oxford handbook of child psychological assessment. Oxford: OUP USA, 2013. p. 239–285.Google Scholar
43. Duncan, J, Parr, A, Woolgar, A et al. Goal neglect and Spearman’s g: competing parts of a complex task. J Exp Psychol Gen 2008;137:131–148.Google Scholar