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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: L.vanAken@psych.ru.nl
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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
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Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2015 

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