Reasoning and Problem-Solving Flashcards

1
Q

fluid reasoning (Gf)

A

ability to reason, problem-solve, and see patterns or relations among items

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2
Q

relational integration (RI)

A
  • process by which 2+ relations are simultaneously considered and integrated
  • cognitive ability to simultaneously process and integrate multiple relationships or connections between elements in a problem, task, or situation
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3
Q

Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM)

A
  • tests fluid reasoning
  • have to pick between 4 options and pick the one that fits in with the pattern in the matrices
  • manipulate the # of relations you have to consider
  • 0 = all identical objects
  • 1 = objects differ by 1 dimension
  • 2 = objects differ by 2 dimension
  • the 2-relational problems have the lowest accuracy and lowest RT
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4
Q

RI and RLPFC (rostrolateral prefrontal cortex)

A
  • found that RLPFC has the highest activity for 2-dimensional problems
  • it is important for relational integration thinking
  • the RLPFC is one of the last areas of the PFC to develop
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5
Q

Domain-general engagement of RLPFC in RI

A
  • wanted to show that RLPFC doesn’t care about what you are relating
  • tested relational integration for familiar objects and abstract pictures
  • found no major difference in mean accuracy or RT between familiar and abstract
  • they found increased activity in RLPFC for relational integration in both the abstract and familiar object conditions
  • shows that the content doesn’t matter, only the fact that relational integration is occurring does
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6
Q

Anterior PFC (RLPFC) damage compromises RI

A
  • compared percent correct on 1-relational and 2-relational problems between temporal lobe patients, frontal lobe patients, and typical controls
  • found significant decline in % correct for 2-relational problems in frontal lobe patients
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7
Q

Developmental differences in RLPFC engagement (behavioural)

A
  • main effect of age for accuracy
  • adults do better than children
  • largest difference in performance for 2-relational, children do significantly worse
    -children tend to be slower than adults
  • both spend most time on 2-relational
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8
Q

Developmental differences in RLPFC engagement (brain activation)

A
  • in adults, activity in RLPFC is significantly more for 2-relational problems
  • in children, RLPFC activation is not significant or consistently higher for 2-relational
  • adults seem to be able to turn on the RLPFC earlier and more reliably
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9
Q

Why do children perform more poorly on RI tasks? (Theory)

A
  • children are more likely to act on prepotent response rather than reasoning decision
  • can suggest that impairment in reasoning may have more to do with impulsivity rather than the actual ability to reason
  • passive dissipation model
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10
Q

Passive dissipation model

A

certain behaviors or processes emerge naturally as a result of the passive dissipation of energy or other resources, rather than through active mechanisms
ie. reasoning emerges with ability to halt impulses

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11
Q

Linking age-related RI-ability changes to white matter

A
  • older you are the better you seem to be at reasoning
  • curvilinear relationship, most improvement happens earlier
  • similar trajectory to the maturation of white matter
  • suggests a connection between reasoning and the maturation of white matter
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12
Q

LSAT preparation can improve reasoning

A
  • helps them perform better on the logic and reasoning part of the LSAT
  • also saw significant improvement in accuracy and decrease in RT for relational integration and reasoning tasks post LSAT training
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13
Q

LSAT and brain connectivity

A
  • LSAT training can alter resting state of brain
  • saw most change in the strengthening of connectivity in the RLPFC and parietal regions
  • connections got stronger and tighter
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14
Q

hierarchy of control mechanisms

A
  • has been suggested that there is a hierarchy of control within the PFC
  • FPC seems to be at the top of the control hierarchy
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