- Email: [email protected]
The combinatorial reasoning task: A test of executive functioning
Abstracts of 11th Annual Meeting
343
various diagnostic groups (e.g., Lally & Nettelbeck, 1980). Given that the Category Test is purported to be a good measure of “g” (Hynd & Cohen, 1983), response time measures gleaned from a computerized category test were used to differentiate learning disabled (LD) and normal children. A computerized version of the older children’s Category Test (CCT) (Rattan, 1989) was administered to a sample of 57 children (Normal = 31, LD = 26) ranging from 9 to 12 years of age (Mean = 12.0. SD = 1.77 for boys; Mean = 11.28 SD = 1.81 for girls). To compare the efficacy of the traditional dependent measure of error scores versus response time on the CT, an ANOVA was performed. Results indicated that the LD group did not differ significantly (p < .05) in the number of errors (Mean = 55.85) on the Category Test when contrasted to normal peer cohorts (Mean = 50.16). However, when the average response time for incorrect performance was used as the dependent measure, a difference was observed with the LD group responding significantly faster, p > .05, Mean = 3.25 s, when compared to the normal group (Mean = 4.11 s). The results were discussed in terms of including response time measures to increase the sensitivity of the category test with differential diagnosis.
Lefkowicz, D. P., McCaffrey, R. J., & Eson, M. E. The University at Albany, State University of New York. The Combinatorial Reasoning Task: A Test of Executive Functioning. The Combinatorial Reasoning Task (CRT), originally developed by Scardamalia (1977), was adapted by Eson and Bourke (1982) to be used in assessing the stages of cognitive recovery following traumatic brain injury in adults. Eson and Bourke (1982) noted that many brain-injured subjects made specific errors in task performance which were indicative of information processing difficulties. However, these researchers conceded that since normative information on the CRT was unavailable, data interpretation was difficult. The results of the present study provide normative data for the CRT using male and female college students. Within this sample, the CRT manifested moderate test-retest reliability and moderate correlations with estimates of IQ. Preliminary results using the Combinatorial Reasoning Task with PSDAT, Parkinson’s and HIV+ patients, as well as with normal older adults, will also be presented.
Leverett, J. P., Waid, L. R., Knapp, R. G., Keil, J. E., & Sutherland, S. E. Medical University of South Carolina. Correlates of Good and Poor Cognitive Performance in Elderly Adults. In the 1988-1990 recall of the Charleston Heart Study cohort, 962 elderly blacks and whites underwent examination for cardiovascular disease risk factors and events as well as assessment of behavioral, physical, and cognitive functions. To examine the correlates of good and poor cognitive functioning, a composite score was developed based upon subject’s performance on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and the Russell revision of the
343
various diagnostic groups (e.g., Lally & Nettelbeck, 1980). Given that the Category Test is purported to be a good measure of “g” (Hynd & Cohen, 1983), response time measures gleaned from a computerized category test were used to differentiate learning disabled (LD) and normal children. A computerized version of the older children’s Category Test (CCT) (Rattan, 1989) was administered to a sample of 57 children (Normal = 31, LD = 26) ranging from 9 to 12 years of age (Mean = 12.0. SD = 1.77 for boys; Mean = 11.28 SD = 1.81 for girls). To compare the efficacy of the traditional dependent measure of error scores versus response time on the CT, an ANOVA was performed. Results indicated that the LD group did not differ significantly (p < .05) in the number of errors (Mean = 55.85) on the Category Test when contrasted to normal peer cohorts (Mean = 50.16). However, when the average response time for incorrect performance was used as the dependent measure, a difference was observed with the LD group responding significantly faster, p > .05, Mean = 3.25 s, when compared to the normal group (Mean = 4.11 s). The results were discussed in terms of including response time measures to increase the sensitivity of the category test with differential diagnosis.
Lefkowicz, D. P., McCaffrey, R. J., & Eson, M. E. The University at Albany, State University of New York. The Combinatorial Reasoning Task: A Test of Executive Functioning. The Combinatorial Reasoning Task (CRT), originally developed by Scardamalia (1977), was adapted by Eson and Bourke (1982) to be used in assessing the stages of cognitive recovery following traumatic brain injury in adults. Eson and Bourke (1982) noted that many brain-injured subjects made specific errors in task performance which were indicative of information processing difficulties. However, these researchers conceded that since normative information on the CRT was unavailable, data interpretation was difficult. The results of the present study provide normative data for the CRT using male and female college students. Within this sample, the CRT manifested moderate test-retest reliability and moderate correlations with estimates of IQ. Preliminary results using the Combinatorial Reasoning Task with PSDAT, Parkinson’s and HIV+ patients, as well as with normal older adults, will also be presented.
Leverett, J. P., Waid, L. R., Knapp, R. G., Keil, J. E., & Sutherland, S. E. Medical University of South Carolina. Correlates of Good and Poor Cognitive Performance in Elderly Adults. In the 1988-1990 recall of the Charleston Heart Study cohort, 962 elderly blacks and whites underwent examination for cardiovascular disease risk factors and events as well as assessment of behavioral, physical, and cognitive functions. To examine the correlates of good and poor cognitive functioning, a composite score was developed based upon subject’s performance on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and the Russell revision of the