Wk11 - Higher Order Cognition Flashcards
What are executive functions (One conceptualisation based on literary consensus)
- The ability to override automatic behaviours. So as to deal with novel situations.
- The ability to switch flexibly between different tasks.
- The ability to carry out a task while keeping in mind other goals.
What is the difference between hot and cold executive functions
- Cold executive functions are how respond in ideal conditions. i.e a lab environment.
- Hot executive functions respond in a real world setting.
What are three important regions of the Frontal lobe
- The primary motor cortex
- Non-primary motor cortex (premotor cortex and the supplementary motor area)
- Prefrontal cortex
What is one common subdivision of the prefrontal cortex and their locations
- Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) (Blue)
- Orbitofrontal cortex (Green)
- Mediofrontal cortex (Red)
What is the Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) involved with
- Inv. with higher order cognitive operations.
- Labelled as the ‘executive’ circuit.
- its exec. funct. involved with mediation of emotional, motivational and social behaviour.
What deficits could be expected if damage to the DLPFC (Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) occurred.
Deficits may include:
- Working memory
- Planning, task setting and problem solving.
- Sequencing
- Selective and sustained attention.
- Perseveration
- Inhibition
- Cognitive flexibility
What neuropsychological measures could be used to measure damage done to Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex?
- F-A-S Test
- Digit span backwards
- Tower of Hanoi / Tower of London
- Stroop
- Wisconsin card sort
What is the Tower of London task and what does it measure
The Tower of London task measures planning, sequencing and problem solving.
- Must move beads from one peg to another to match an arrangement on a different board.
What is the Wisconsin Card Sort test and what does it measure
The Wisconsin Card Sort test measures cognitive flexibility.
- Participants must match the cards. Told that whatever they do is right no matter what. After 10 or so matches they change the rules without telling them. How quickly the participants adapt is what’s measured.
What is the Stroop task and what does it measure?
The Stroop task is used to measure inhibition.
- The colour word one. Identify the colour of the word regardless of what the word is.
What is the Orbitofrontal Cortex involved with
The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is involved with the mediation of emotional and social responses.
- Responsible for the executive processing of emotional stimuli.
What deficits could be expected when damage to the orbitofrontal cortex occurs.
- Emotional Lability
- Diminished Social Insight
- Socially inappropriate behaviour. Especially in regards to conversational skills.
- Difficulties with changing reinforcements.
- Lack of sensitivity to future outcomes, positive and negative.
- Lack of empathy.
What are some neuropsychological measures to detect damage to the OFC
- Family/caregiver reports of behaviour (social, emotional and aggression)
- F-A-S test
- Bechara’s Gambling Task (typically stick with bad decks)
What is the F-A-S test
Sometimes called a Verbal Fluency Test.
- Individuals are asked to repeat as many words as possible starting with ___ (historically F A and S)
- Also asked for words to do with a semantic theme.
- Individuals with OFC damage may give socially inappropriate responses.
What is Bechara’s Gambling Task
A.K.A Iowa Gambling Task
- Participants are given four decks to choose from, the goal of the game is to win as much in game money as possible.
- Unbeknownst to the participants, two of the decks are ‘bad decks’ which give higher rewards but also higher penalties.
- Two of the decks are ‘good decks’ which give lower payouts but less penalties.
- Indivs usually stick to the good decks after a bit. However Indies with OFC damage typically keep persisting with the bad decks despite losing heaps.
What is the Mediofrontal cortex involved with
The mediofrontal cortex (MFC) is involved with
- Response monitoring (Control and monitoring of actions)
- Error detection
- Motivation or drive behaviour.
What are some measures used to measure damage to the the mediofrontal area
- Family or caregiver reports
- Questionnaires and scales that measure motivation
- Reaction time. (Peeps with MFC damage may be slower on speeded tasks)
