Factorial structure of cognitive activity using a neuropsychological test battery.
A general neuropsychological test battery was assembled and individually given to a 98-subject sample, aged 11-12 years old. The battery included some basic and common tests routinely used in the evaluation of language, memory, spatial abilities, concept formation, and praxic abilities. Twenty-five different scores were calculated. A factor analysis with varimax rotation disclosed nine different factors, accounting for about 70% of the variance. Factor I was measured by a Sequential Verbal Memory test and Verbal Fluency subtests ("verbal factor"). Factor II was measured by the Wechsler Memory Scale Visual Memory subtests (immediate and delayed reproduction), and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (copy and immediate reproduction) ("non-verbal memory and constructional factor"). Factor III was measured by the WMS Logical Memory subtests (immediate and delayed; "verbal memory factor"). Factor IV was associated with fine movements (tapping subtests, right and left hand; "fine movements factor"). Factor V was specially measured by the Information subtest of the WMS and the Boston Naming Test ("verbal knowledge"). Factor VI represented a "praxic ability factor" (ideomotor praxis tests). Delayed Associative Learning subtest measured Factor VII; and Digits measured Factor VIII. Factor IX was a "mental control factor" (Mental Control subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale). The implications of these results to theories relating to the structure of cognitive activity are discussed.
Instituto Colombiano de Neuropsicologia, Bogotá, Colombia.
A
A
Ardila
Hospital San Juan de Dios, Bogotá, Colombia.
M
M
Rosselli
Fundación Universitaria "Konrad Lorenz", Bogotá, Colombia.
J R
JR
Bateman
Cognitive activity; Factorial analysis; Neuropsychological assessment