Storage Capacity Explains Fluid Intelligence but Executive Control Does Not

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Storage Capacity Explains Fluid Intelligence but Executive Control Does Not
Language: English
Authors: Chuderski, Adam, Taraday, Maciej, Necka, Edward
Source: Intelligence. May-Jun 2012 40(3):278-295.
Availability: Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2012
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Intelligence, Structural Equation Models, Attention Control, Inhibition, Psychometrics, Task Analysis, Executive Function, Prediction, Statistical Inference, Memory, Evaluation Methods
DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2012.02.010
ISSN: 0160-2896
Abstract: We examined whether fluid intelligence (Gf) is better predicted by the storage capacity of active memory or by the effectiveness of executive control. In two psychometric studies, we measured storage capacity with three kinds of task which required the maintenance of a visual array, the monitoring of simple relations among perceptually available stimuli, or the quick update of information. Executive control was measured with tasks reflecting three executive functions, namely attention control, interference resolution, and response inhibition. Using structural equation modeling, we found that all storage tasks loaded on one latent variable, which predicted on average 70% of variance in Gf (Studies 1 and 2). On the contrary, neither interference resolution nor response inhibition was substantially related to Gf or to any other variable (Study 1). Although attention control predicted on average 25% of Gf variance (Studies 1 and 2), when storage capacity was statistically controlled for, attention control no longer significantly explained Gf. (Contains 5 tables and 6 figures.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2012
Accession Number: EJ964347
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:We examined whether fluid intelligence (Gf) is better predicted by the storage capacity of active memory or by the effectiveness of executive control. In two psychometric studies, we measured storage capacity with three kinds of task which required the maintenance of a visual array, the monitoring of simple relations among perceptually available stimuli, or the quick update of information. Executive control was measured with tasks reflecting three executive functions, namely attention control, interference resolution, and response inhibition. Using structural equation modeling, we found that all storage tasks loaded on one latent variable, which predicted on average 70% of variance in Gf (Studies 1 and 2). On the contrary, neither interference resolution nor response inhibition was substantially related to Gf or to any other variable (Study 1). Although attention control predicted on average 25% of Gf variance (Studies 1 and 2), when storage capacity was statistically controlled for, attention control no longer significantly explained Gf. (Contains 5 tables and 6 figures.)
ISSN:0160-2896
DOI:10.1016/j.intell.2012.02.010