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

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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