title: Attention, response inhibition, and face-information processing in children: the role of task characteristics, age, and gender.
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess: (a) developmental changes in attention, response inhibition, and face-information processing using the new Balloons task and (b) to evaluate the association between measures derived from the task with reported behavior problems. One hundred and thirty-four typically developing children (53 boys and 81 girls) were tested with the Balloons. Their parents and teachers completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Our results validate the Balloons as a reliable task with significant effects of manipulations in difficulty level (speed, processing load, and processing type). The results suggest that face-information processing undergoes significant changes during the age period between 7 and 13 years with significant gender differences. Modest but significant correlations were found between the Balloons' measures and behavior problems.
authors.affiliation: The Adler Center for Research in Child Development and Psychopathology, Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Rinat B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Rosenberg-Kima
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadeh
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires