Cognitive control goes to school: The impact of executive functions on academic performance

AbstractThe general aim of the present study was to investigate EF in relation to academic performance. We chose tasks evaluating three EF dimensions: working memory (WM), inhibition (resistance to interference and negative priming), and set-shifting. Subjects (N = 70) were school-aged children in the 5th and the 8th Grades. Regression models supported the contribution of individual differences in EF performance to explaining over half of total variance in school performance, revealing the main role of WM in predicting Mathematics performance. Results are discussed in terms of relevance of meaningful assessment practices and for educational interventions. © 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of Masterprof tea

Anxiety disorders in children and adults: A cognitive, neurophysiological and genetic characterization

An information-processing perspective has been explicitly adopted by several researchers in order to organize the extensive (and often controversial) evidence supporting anxious children‟s cognitive biases in processing emotional information (Daleiden & Vasey, 1997; Pine, 2007). Such integrative approaches are essential in order to investigate vulnerability markers that contribute to the development and maintenance of child and adolescent psychopathology

The “Good Cop, Bad Cop” Effect in the RT-Based Concealed Information Test: Exploring the Effect of Emotional Expressions Displayed by a Virtual Investigator

<div><p>Concealing the possession of relevant information represents a complex cognitive process, shaped by contextual demands and individual differences in cognitive and socio-emotional functioning. The Reaction Time-based Concealed Information Test (RT-CIT) is used to detect concealed knowledge based on the difference in RTs between denying recognition of critical (<i>probes</i>) and newly encountered (<i>irrelevant</i>) information. Several research questions were addressed in this scenario implemented after a mock crime. First, we were interested whether the introduction of a social stimulus (facial identity) simulating a virtual investigator would facilitate the process of deception detection. Next, we explored whether his emotional displays (friendly, hostile or neutral) would have a differential impact on speed of responses to probe versus irrelevant items. We also compared the impact of introducing similar stimuli in a working memory (WM) updating context without requirements to conceal information. Finally, we explored the association between deceptive behavior and individual differences in WM updating proficiency or in internalizing problems (state / trait anxiety and depression). Results indicated that the mere presence of a neutral virtual investigator slowed down participants' responses, but not the appended lie-specific time (difference between probes and irrelevants). Emotional expression was shown to differentially affect speed of responses to critical items, with positive displays from the virtual examiner enhancing lie-specific time, compared to negative facial expressions, which had an opposite impact. This valence-specific effect was not visible in the WM updating context. Higher levels of trait / state anxiety were related to faster responses to probes in the negative condition (hostile facial expression) of the RT-CIT. These preliminary findings further emphasize the need to take into account motivational and emotional factors when considering the transfer of deception detection techniques from the laboratory to real-life settings.</p></div

Estimated marginal means of correct-trial reaction time and of accuracy, for the EM-n-back conditions.

<p>Estimated marginal means of correct-trial reaction time and of accuracy, for the EM-n-back conditions.</p

Lie-specific Mean Reaction Time for RT-CIT, Neg RT-CIT, Neu RT-CIT, Pos RT-CIT.

<p>Asterisks indicate significant post-hoc differences. Error bars indicate standard error of the mean (±2 SEM).</p

Illustration of the n-back tasks.

<p><b>A.</b> The target in the 0-back control condition is any letter designated in the instructions (e.g., X). <b>B.</b> the target in the 2-back memory-load condition is any repeat of a letter presented two trials back (e.g., L). <b>C</b>. The EM-<i>n</i>-back task consisted of superimposing the original <i>n</i>-back task onto one of four backgrounds (no background, negative face stimuli, neutral face stimuli, and positive face stimuli.</p

A Q-sort analysis investigating the social perception of a chronic disease: from sympathy to stygma

Purpose: The paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of business processes (BPs) literature by identifying and discussing key BP?related research themes and suggesting directions for future research. Design methodology approach:Latent semantic analysis was used to analyze the abstracts of academic articles related to BP. Over 2,700 articles that use the term business process (BP) in their title, abstract or keywords were identified through electronic journals database EBSCOHost and examined. Findings:The results clearly indicate growing interest in BP research during the past 20 years. The key research themes can be classified into core and associated BP research. Core BP research deals with four cornerstones of BP change: BP design, information technology, BP implementation, and ongoing BP management. The associated BP research lies on the intersection of BP and other research areas such as total quality management, supply chain management, e?commerce, etc.Research limitations implications:There is a need to focus future research efforts on understanding the inter?relationships among the four identified cornerstones of BP change. There is also a need for more inter?disciplinary BP research and integration of BP?related organizational practices. Originality value:The review offers a cross?disciplinary perspective on BP research. The proposed framework can be used to identify directions for future research and practice

Em-RT-CIT conditions, in which the “virtual investigator” appeared before the presentation of each CIT item.

<p>Em-RT-CIT conditions, in which the “virtual investigator” appeared before the presentation of each CIT item.</p

Investigating dark and bright personality dimensions in prisoners compared to community samples

The project presents a large comparative study conducted in the Romanian prison and general population, where we explored the similarities and differences between offenders and individuals without a criminal background in terms of the Dark Factor of Personality, the Dark Factor themes and the Bright personality profile (FIVE Factor model of personality

Adjusted multiple correlations between anxiety, depression and deception measures: RTs to probes and irrelevants.

<p>Note: The adjustment of the <i>p-value</i> was computed with Bonferroni correction. If the adjusted <i>p</i>-value exceeded 1, it was set to 1. State anxiety (StaiState), Trait anxiety (StaiTrait), DASS Depression subscale (DASSDepression).</p><p>Adjusted multiple correlations between anxiety, depression and deception measures: RTs to probes and irrelevants.</p