Individual differences in cognitive control: the role of psychoticism and working memory in set-shifting.
Set-shifting refers to a process of cognitive control which is shown through flexible behavioural adaptation to changes in task parameters or demands, such as the switching of an explicit rule (extra-dimensional rule shifting) or the reversal of a reinforcement-contingency (reversal-learning). Set-shifting deficits are widely documented in specific neuropsychological disorders, but seldom investigated in relation to normally-occurring individual differences. In a sample of healthy adults (N=78, 28% male), we demonstrate that Working Memory and trait Psychoticism have independent involvement in extra-dimensional rule shifting as measured using an analogue of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Only Psychoticism, however, was involved in reversal-learning, as assessed using a recent modification of the Iowa Gambling Task. Individual differences in extra-dimensional rule shifting were explained in terms of rule abstraction speed, while individual differences in reversal-learning were explained in terms of response perseveration. These results clarify component processes in different forms of set-shifting, and highlight the role of individual differences, especially personality, in cognitive control.
Smillie
Luke D
LD
Goldsmiths, University of London, London, SE14 6NW, UK. l.smillie@gold.ac.uk
Cooper
Andrew J
AJ
Tharp
Ian J
IJ
Pelling
Emma L
EL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009042:Motivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012193:Reversal Learning; D012718:Set, Psychology; D055815:Young Adult