General Intellectual Ability Research Articles

Thalamus is a common locus of reading, arithmetic, and IQ: Analysis of local intrinsic functional properties

Neuroimaging studies of basic achievement skills – reading and arithmetic – often control for the effect of IQ to identify unique neural correlates of each skill. This may underestimate possible effects of common factors between achievement and IQ measures on neuroimaging results. Here, we simultaneously examined achievement (reading and arithmetic) and IQ measures in young adults, aiming to identify MRI correlates of their common factors. Resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data were analyzed using two metrics assessing local intrinsic functional properties; regional homogeneity (ReHo) and fractional amplitude low frequency fluctuation (fALFF), measuring local intrinsic functional connectivity and intrinsic functional activity, respectively. ReHo highlighted the thalamus/pulvinar (a subcortical region implied for selective attention) as a common locus for both achievement skills and IQ. More specifically, the higher the ReHo values, the lower the achievement and IQ scores. For fALFF, the left superior parietal lobule, part of the dorsal attention network, was positively associated with reading and IQ. Collectively, our results highlight attention-related regions, particularly the thalamus/pulvinar as a key region related to individual differences in performance on all the three measures. ReHo in the thalamus/pulvinar may serve as a tool to examine brain mechanisms underlying a comorbidity of reading and arithmetic difficulties, which could co-occur with weakness in general intellectual abilities.

Personalized connectome fingerprints: Their importance in cognition from childhood to adult years

Structural neural network architecture patterns in the human brain could be related to individual differences in phenotype, behavior, genetic determinants, and clinical outcomes from neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent studies have indicated that a personalized neural (brain) fingerprint can be identified from structural brain connectomes. However, the accuracy, reproducibility and translational potential of personalized fingerprints in terms of cognition is not yet fully determined. In this study, we introduce a dynamic connectome modeling approach to identify a critical set of white matter subnetworks that can be used as a personalized fingerprint. Several individual variable assessments were performed that demonstrate the accuracy and practicality of personalized fingerprint, specifically predicting the identity and IQ of middle age adults, and the developmental quotient in toddlers. Our findings suggest the fingerprint found by our dynamic modeling approach is sufficient for differentiation between individuals, and is also capable of predicting general intellectual ability across human development.

Brain Regions Identified as Being Associated With Verbal Reasoning Through the Use of Imaging Regression via Internal Variation

–Brain-imaging data have been increasingly used to understand intellectual disabilities. Despite significant progress in biomedical research, the mechanisms for most of the intellectual disabilities remain unknown. Finding the underlying neurological mechanisms has proved difficult, especially in children due to the rapid development of their brains. We investigate verbal reasoning, which is a reliable measure of an individual’s general intellectual abilities, and develop a class of high-order imaging regression models to identify brain subregions which might be associated with this specific intellectual ability. A key novelty of our method is to take advantage of spatial brain structures, and specifically the piecewise smooth nature of most imaging coefficients in the form of high-order tensors. Our approach provides an effective and urgently needed method for identifying brain subregions potentially underlying certain intellectual disabilities. The idea behind our approach is a carefully constructed concept called internal variation (IV). The IV employs tensor decomposition and provides a computationally feasible substitution for total variation, which has been considered suitable to deal with similar problems but may not be scalable to high-order tensor regression. Before applying our method to analyze the real data, we conduct comprehensive simulation studies to demonstrate the validity of our method in imaging signal identification. Next, we present our results from the analysis of a dataset based on the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort for which we preprocessed the data including reorienting, bias-field correcting, extracting, normalizing, and registering the magnetic resonance images from 978 individuals. Our analysis identified a subregion across the cingulate cortex and the corpus callosum as being associated with individuals’ verbal reasoning ability, which, to the best of our knowledge, is a novel region that has not been reported in the literature. This finding is useful in further investigation of functional mechanisms for verbal reasoning. Supplementary materials for this article, including a standardized description of the materials available for reproducing the work, are available as an online supplement.

Influence of the Educational Factor on the Level of Intellectual Abilities of Police Officers

The article is devoted to the analysis of the diagnostics of the educational factor influence on the level of intelligence and general intellectual abilities in police officers. In the article, it was also aimed to describe theoretical and practical studies on the diagnosing of the intelligence level and general intellectual capacities in police officers, and to assess the influence of educational factors on the level of intelligence. The instruments used in the study during the professional-psychological selection included the Brief Qualifying Selection Test, the Intelligence Structure Test developed by Rudolf Amthauer et al., and Raven’s Progressive Matrices. Based on the empirical data analysis, it was proved that the police officers’ educational level had a significant impact on their integral index value, level and structure of intelligence, and general intellectual abilities.

Classical galactosemia: neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning beyond intellectual abilities

BackgroundDespite early diagnosis and treatment, Classical Galactosemia (CG) patients frequently develop long-term complications, such as cognitive impairment. Available literature primarily reports on general intellectual abilities and shows a substantially lower Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) in CG patients than in the general population. Both problems in social functioning as well as internalizing problems are often reported in CG patients. The combination of intelligence, cognitive functioning, behavior and social functioning has not been studied systematically in CG patients.MethodsTo determine if CG patients demonstrate a specific neuropsychological and psychosocial profile, we investigated intelligence, functioning on multiple cognitive domains, behavior and social functioning with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and questionnaires (self- and proxy-reported).ResultsThe data of 48 patients, aged 4–47 years are reported. FSIQ ranged from 45 to 103 (mean 77 ± 14). A negative correlation between age and FSIQ was demonstrated (p = 0.037) which resulted directly from the inclusion of four young ‘milder’ patients detected by newborn screening (NBS) with an expected better clinical outcome. Compared to normative data, patients had significantly lower but highly variable scores on all cognitive domains, especially on tests requiring mental speed. In the context of the FSIQ, 43% of the cognitive test results exceeded IQ based expectations. Overall, the patients’ scores on social functioning were in the normal range but internalizing problems were frequently reported. In our cohort, an early initiation of dietary treatment due to NBS or family screening did not result in a more favorable neuropsychological outcome.ConclusionsIn this study, we demonstrated that as a cohort, CG patients have a below average intelligence and impaired cognitive functioning without a distinctive neuropsychological profile. The effect of age on neurocognitive functioning should be assessed in longitudinal studies. Social functioning was not impaired, but patients may be at risk for internalizing problems. Considering the large variability in cognitive, behavioral and social functioning and the finding that cognitive outcomes may exceed IQ based expectations, an individual evaluation and follow-up is warranted in all CG patients to ensure timely support if needed.

Visceral Adiposity and Diet Quality Are Differentially Associated With Cognitive Abilities and Early Academic Skills Among Preschool-Age Children.

Background: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and diet quality influence cognitive health in preadolescents; however, these relationships remain understudied among preschool-age children.Objectives: Investigate the relationship between VAT, diet quality, academic skills, and cognitive abilities among preschool-age children.Methods: Children between 4 and 5 years (N = 57) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Woodcock Johnson Early Cognitive and Academic Development Test (ECAD™) was utilized to assess General Intellectual Ability, Early Academic Skills, and Expressive Language. DXA was used to assess VAT. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) based on 7-day food records.Results: Greater VAT was associated with poorer Early Academic Skills (r = −0.28, P = 0.03) whereas a diet pattern that included Fatty Acids, Whole Grains, Saturated Fats, Seafood and Plant Proteins, Total Vegetables, and Dairy was positively associated with General Intellectual Ability (r = 0.26, P = 0.04).Conclusions: Higher VAT is negatively related to Early Academic Skills whereas diet quality was positively and selectively related to intellectual abilities among preschool-age children. These findings indicate that the negative impact of abdominal adiposity on academic skills is evident as early as preschool-age while providing preliminary support for the potentially beneficial role of diet quality on cognitive abilities in early childhood.

Cognitive Function of Children and Adolescents With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Importance of Early Diagnosis.

ContextPatients with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are treated postnatally with lifelong glucocorticoid (GC) replacement therapy. Previous results on general cognitive ability in individuals with CAH have been conflicting.ObjectiveTo evaluate long-term cognitive effects of GC replacement therapy and the impact of early diagnosis in children with CAH.Design and SettingObservational study with patients from a single research institute.Patients32 children with CAH (mean age 11.5 years) identified through the Swedish national neonatal screening program for CAH and 52 matched population controls (mean age 10.7 years). Eleven (6 female) children with CAH who were treated prenatally with dexamethasone (DEX), (CAH-DEX) (mean age 11.7 years).InterventionGC replacement therapy, neonatal screening for CAH.MeasuresCognitive abilities assessed with standardized neuropsychological tests (Wechsler scales, Span Board Test, Stroop Interference Test, NEPSY list learning).ResultsChildren with CAH (not prenatally treated) performed equally well as population controls on a series of tests assessing general intellectual ability and executive functions. No significant differences were observed in cognitive performance between patients with different genotypes (null, non-null). Patients with salt-wasting CAH performed poorer than patients with simple virilizing CAH in a test assessing visuo-spatial working memory (P = 0.039), although the performance was within the normal range for the population. Prenatally DEX-treated girls with CAH had lower verbal intellectual ability compared with CAH girls not exposed to prenatal treatment (P = 0.037).ConclusionChildren and adolescents with CAH who were diagnosed early via a neonatal screening program and treated with hydrocortisone had normal psychometric intelligence and executive functions.

Development of Intellectual Skills in the Teacher of the First Cycle of Primary Education

The formation and development of the general intellectual abilities begin from the first years of the infant’s life and constitute the foundations for the future formation of professional capacities and competences; however, adequate strategies are not always implemented in primary education that favor them, sometimes due to teacher preparation flaws. The present study has the purpose of characterizing the level of knowledge that educators have in the first cycle of primary education in the city of Machala on this subject. The methodological strategy responded to the quantitative-qualitative paradigm, systematized through the methods of scientific and statistical observation. The information collected through a survey of 40 randomly selected teachers is shown through of a table and figures descriptive. The findings allowed to conclude that there are shortcomings in teacher preparation that limit the formation and development of intellectual skills, as a result student have intellectual inadequacies.

Cognitive Functions in Combat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with changes in cognitive functions. The aim of the study was to investigate differences in cognitive abilities between PTSD patients and healthy controls. As PTSD is often accompanied by comorbidity, the PTSD patients with comorbid diagnoses were also included in our study. The study participants included 254 Croatian combat veterans (60 PTSD and 194 PTSD plus comorbidity) and control group of 125 healthy Croatian military and civilian pilots. The diagnosis of PTSD was made by clinical scale for PTSD assessment (CAPS), while cognitive abilities were measured by Wechsler intelligence scale (WAIS-III-R) and Rey test (ROCFT). The study results have confirmed that there is a significant difference in cognitive functions between the PTSD patients and healthy controls regarding age and education. The PTSD patients (PTSD only and PTSD with comorbidity) have shown lower general intellectual abilities, reduced capacity of working, numerical and visual memory, and decreased executive functions when compared to healthy controls. These results are an additional contribution to a better understanding and determination of changes in cognitive functions that occur in combat PTSD as a result of traumatic stress.

System of controlling instruments operating activities of a trade enterprise

Introduction. Scientists have already begun to apply actively controlling in various directions and spheres of activity of the enterprise. There is a need to identify structure of controlling instruments that can be used for trading company operational activity. It will deepen the understanding of controlling essence and will make it easier to implement. The purpose of paper is to identify varieties of controlling instruments operating activities of a trade enterprise. Results. In order to practically use systematic tools for product division functionality, in these own cases. Within the sales department propose to use pricing methods. When canceling marketing activities, they use the following tools: portfolio development methods; potential analysis Pilot method; Porter; benchmarking (the process of comparing objects of one enterprise with similar other objects of other enterprises); analysis of analytical shifts; map of strategic groups. Within the personal staff department, you can use your own strength and effectiveness of staff and motivation systems. In the control department of logistics are silent to create: remains a stock; ABC analysis; XYZ analysis. The grocery department was confident. Open procurement can be ABC analysis; XYZ analysis; known order optimization; confident stock level. Branch of appropriate management using design tools; accounting (management); process cost checking (activity-based costing); a sure fact regarding the life cycle (life cycle cost); direct costing; standard bone; transfer pricing methods; margin analysis; EVA, SVA, limit results analysis; functional-cost analysis, system of operation of operating system of ability; general intellectual ability management system; truth chain analysis; analysis of the chain of creation of additional information; comparison of results in chain actions; system of operational monitoring "plan-fact"; a system that considers the budget and remains important; system of regulatory calculation; analysis analysis; factor analysis; analysis of analytical shifts. All units can be used: PEST analysis; central security management; strategic gaps; analysis of strengths and weaknesses in the enterprise (trying to exploit the weaknesses in the enterprise and maintain the utilized potential potential); goal management system; activity based management (activity based management); system of balanced users; strategic maps; modeling; business process map; scenario method (situational approach to management decisions made in uncertainty. Forecasting the outcome of the situation); scenario method (situational approach to management decisions made in uncertainty. Forecasting the outcome of the situation); expert method; mathematical methods; Monte Carlo method; to divide a person by objects; sensitivity analysis; high efficiency of the unit; outsourcing matrix; control of "weak" signals; observation; cognitive conversation (individual and group); polls (written and oral); CAS polar solutions; experiment (natural and laboratory); testing; self-observation and self-reports. Conclusion. The proposed system of controlling instruments is adopted for the operating activities of a trading enterprise. It let to implement all the main functions of controlling.

Do Global Ability Composites Differentially Predict Academic Achievement Across Gender?

The present study examined whether global ability influences on reading, writing, and math achievement are generalizable across gender in children and adolescents in Grades 1 to 4 ( n = 1,276), 5 to 8 ( n = 1,265), and 9 to 12 ( n = 1,042) using multiple group structural equation modeling with the standardization samples for the Woodcock–Johnson IV. Results showed a small female advantage in writing achievement across grade levels. The General Intellectual Ability (GIA) composite showed some evidence of slope bias with math achievement, and the Fluid-Crystallized (G f-G c) composite showed some evidence of slope bias with math and reading achievement. The GIA and G f-G c composite scores showed evidence of intercept bias mostly in the area of writing achievement. Findings are generally consistent with previous research showing minimal gender bias in global intelligence predicting achievement.

The Association Between Somatic Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Autistic Traits

This study used a twin cohort to investigate the association of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autistic traits with somatic health. A total of 344 twins (172 pairs; mean age 15.56 ± 5.62 years) enriched for ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions were examined. Medical history and current physical problems were collected with a validated questionnaire to determine twin’s somatic health. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) was used to measure the participant’s severity of autistic traits. Identified somatic health issues with significant within-twin pair differences were tested in relation to both ASD diagnosis and autistic traits in a co-twin control model. Twins with ASD exhibited more neurological and immunological health problems compared to those without ASD (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004, respectively). The intra-pair differences of neurological conditions and SRS-2 score were significantly correlated in monozygotic twins differing for autism traits (r = 0.40, p = 0.001), while the correlation was not found for immunological problems. In addition, a conditional model for analysis of within-twin pair effects revealed an association between neurological problems and clinical ASD diagnosis (Odds ratio per neurological problem 3.15, p = 0.02), as well as autistic traits (β = 10.44, p = 0.006), after adjusting for possible effects of co-existing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and general intellectual abilities. Our findings suggest that neurological problems are associated with autism, and that non-shared environmental factors contribute to the overlap for both clinical ASD and autistic traits. Further population-based twin studies are warranted to validate our results and examine in detailed the shared genetic and environmental contributions of neurological problems and ASD.

Differences in specific learning disability identification with the Woodcock-Johnson IV.

The Ability Achievement Discrepancy model remains the primary identification method used by school personnel. This study examined identification of a specific learning disability using the Ability Achievement Discrepancy model with the Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ-IV). Two different test scores can be used to represent the ability construct: one that maintains the overlap between intelligence quotient (IQ) and basic psychological processes (i.e., general intellectual ability) and one that mostly removes the overlap between IQ and basic psychological processes (i.e., fluid-crystallized intelligence). The study included 3,736 individuals from the WJ-IV standardization sample to ascertain whether different proportions of individuals were identified by the 2 methods as well as identify which tests contributed to the differences. χ2 tests of independence and absolute ratios were used to examine the proportion of individuals identified; a multivariate analysis of variance and follow-up Tukey honestly significant differences were conducted to determine whether the groups of individuals identified in each model differed on their academic achievement scores, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to identify the tests that contributed to differences in identification rates. The results indicated that different proportions of individuals were identified as a function of the IQ score used, even though achievement scores were generally similar across identification methods. Black students were overrepresented and White students were underrepresented compared with their proportion in the total sample. Discrepancy profiles largely varied as a function of the internal psychometrics of the WJ-IV rather than characteristics of the individual. Implications for practice and methodological limitations are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Comparing the North American Adult Reading Test (NAART) and the Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF) to estimate premorbid Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - 4th edition FSIQ in a clinical sample with epilepsy

Estimating premorbid general cognitive functioning is an essential component to the neuropsychological evaluation process. The North American Adult Reading Test (NAART) is a method to predict premorbid general cognitive functioning based on word reading skills developed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R), which is currently in its fourth edition (WAIS-IV). The Test of Premorbid Function (TOPF) was developed using the WAIS-IV, based on the same method as the NAART, to estimate premorbid intellectual ability. There is a paucity of research comparing estimates of premorbid general intellectual ability between the NAART and TOPF. This study evaluated the clinical utility of premorbid estimates of FSIQ derived from the NAART and TOPF in a sample of 101 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Differences between NAART-derived premorbid FSIQs and TOPF simple demographic predicted FSIQs were significant (p < .001) with large effect sizes. NAART estimated premorbid FSIQ (M = 104.04, SD = 8.42) was significantly greater than TOPF premorbid estimates (M = 99.83, SD = 9.26). Results suggested NAART-derived estimates of premorbid FSIQ may be more accurate than TOPF-based estimates, which likely underestimated premorbid FSIQ in this sample of patients with epilepsy. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Cognitive and Academic Outcomes Following Childhood Cortical Stroke.

The majority of pediatric neuropsychological stroke research has focused on perinatal stroke outcomes given its relative frequency. Meanwhile, childhood-onset stroke is under-represented in the literature, resulting in limited knowledge about its neurocognitive sequelae. This retrospective study examined cognitive outcomes in children and youth (n = 27) with childhood arterial ischemic stroke (stroke occurring between 29 days and 18 years of life) isolated to the cortical region. Intellectual, academic, language, visual-perception, visual-motor integration, fine motor coordination, and executive function scores were examined relative to normative means. Results indicate that although these children are doing well in terms of general intellectual ability, they demonstrate lower scores on tasks of processing speed and fine motor coordination. Exploratory analysis also revealed that of the personal and neurologic factors examined, age at stroke was positively correlated with perceptual reasoning and fine motor control, age at assessment was negatively correlated with math calculation abilities, and maternal education was positively correlated with working memory and parent-reported behavioral regulation and impulse inhibition abilities. While neurologic variables were not predictive of cognitive neuropsychological outcomes, those with significant poorer performance had higher rates of medium/large, right-sided lesions with frontal lobe involvement. Our results highlight the overall resilience of the injured developing brain but also the vulnerability of specific cognitive skills within this unique population.

Reliable change in pediatric brain tumor: A preliminary investigation

ABSTRACTChildren treated for brain tumor show evidence of declines in general intellectual abilities (i.e., IQ). Group-level data indicate subtle declines over time on average, but no study has utilized a clinical criterion to identify and describe a reliable change in survivors of pediatric brain tumor (PBT). In this study, we discuss the utility of reliable change index (RCI) methodology to supplement group-level analysis (e.g., repeated measures ANOVA). This pilot sample consisted of 22 children (M age = 10.47 years) treated for PBT who completed initial and follow-up assessments (M interval = 23.58 months). Cognitive data included composite scores from the WISC-IV. An RCI z-score was calculated for each participant on each composite score based on two different test–retest reliability coefficients. As a group, survivors of PBT did not demonstrate a statistically significant change from initial to follow-up on any WISC-IV composite score. When RCI was calculated based on reliability coefficients with shorter test–retest intervals provided by the test publisher, 77% of survivors demonstrated a reliable change in performance on at least one measure. The frequency of RCI decreases in working memory was significantly higher than expected. In contrast, only 32% of survivors showed reliable changes on at least one measure when RCI was based on a reliability coefficient derived from a clinical sample with a longer retest interval. This study demonstrates that highly divergent results may be obtained with RCI and the importance of the source of reliability estimates.

Emotional Awareness and Cognitive Performance in Borderline Intellectual Functioning Young Adolescents.

According to DSM-5 and ICD-10, borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) should not be classified properly as a disorder. However, BIF people may present relevant problems of adaptive functioning in several areas of daily activities, and they seem to be more vulnerable to mental diseases. Young adolescence may be considered a particular period for emotional information processing. The "own and others' emotions" awareness can play a crucial role in many daily life situations, such as decision making, interpersonal relationships, and decoding of facial expressions. On this background, a BIF young adolescents group underwent a neuropsychological assessment including emotional and cognitive domains, and was compared with a healthy young adolescents control group (HC). In the overall sample, a significant negative correlation between general intellectual abilities and emotional awareness was found. The BIF group showed a significantly greater level of alexithymia and a poorer performance in higher cognitive tasks than HC group. As hypothesized, a border cognitive functioning influences mentalization processes as ability to discriminate and monitor emotions, as well as higher domains of cognition.

Effects of an Adenotonsillectomy on the Cognitive and Behavioural Function of Children Who Snore: A naturalistic observational study.

This study aimed to evaluate cognitive and behavioural changes among 9-14-year-old Omani children with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) after an adenotonsillectomy (AT). This naturalistic observational study was conducted at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January 2012 and December 2014. Omani children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) underwent overnight polysomnography and those with confirmed OSA were scheduled for an AT. Cognitive and behavioural evaluations were performed using standardised instruments at baseline prior to the procedure and three months afterwards. A total of 37 children were included in the study, of which 24 (65%) were male and 13 (35%) were female. The mean age of the males was 11.4 ± 1.9 years, while that of the females was 11.1 ± 1.5 years. Following the AT, there was a significant reduction of 56% in mean apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) score (2.36 ± 4.88 versus 5.37 ± 7.17; P <0.01). There was also a significant positive reduction in OSA indices, including oxygen desaturation index (78%), number of desaturations (68%) and number of obstructive apnoea incidents (74%; P <0.01 each). Significant improvements were noted in neurocognitive function, including attention/concentration (42%), verbal fluency (92%), learning/recall (38%), executive function (52%) and general intellectual ability (33%; P <0.01 each). There was a significant decrease of 21% in both mean inattention and hyperactivity scores (P <0.01 each). These results demonstrate the effectiveness of an AT in improving cognitive function and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like symptoms among children with ATH-caused OSA. Such changes can be observed as early as three months after the procedure.

Testing a Cognitive Control Model of Human Intelligence

The definition of human intelligence and its underlying psychological constructs have long been debated. Although previous studies have investigated the fundamental cognitive functions determining intellectual abilities, such as the broadly defined executive functions including working memory, the core process has yet to be identified. A potential candidate for such a role might be cognitive control, a psychological construct for the coordination of thoughts and actions under conditions of uncertainty. In this study, we tested a cognitive control model of intellectual ability by examining the association between cognitive control, measured by a perceptual decision-making task and by the attention network test, and general intelligence including components of fluid intelligence (Gf, concerning the ability to solve problems by abstraction) and crystalized intelligence (Gc, related to learning from prior knowledge and experience) measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. We also examined the potential role of cognitive control as a core process involved in another determinant of intellectual abilities, the working memory, measured by the N-back tasks and the working memory complex span tasks. The relationship among intelligence, cognitive control, and working memory was examined using structural equation modeling. Results showed that cognitive control shared a large amount of variance with working memory and both measures were strongly associated with Gf and Gc, with a stronger association with Gf than Gc. These findings suggest that cognitive control, serving as a core construct of executive functions, contributes substantially to general intellectual ability, especially fluid intelligence.

Psychometric Evaluation of Social Cognitive Measures for Adults with Autism.

Although social cognition is frequently identified as a target in clinical trials and psychosocial interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), these efforts are hampered by a lack of consensus and validation of social cognitive measures. The current study provides psychometric evaluation of 11 frequently used measures encompassing different subdomains of social cognition. Adults with autism (N = 103) and typically developing controls (N = 95) completed 11 commonly used social cognitive tasks spanning the domains of emotion processing, social perception, and mentalizing/theory of mind. We examined each measure's internal reliability and sensitivity to group differences, how performance related to general intellectual ability, and alignment of measures with a proposed two‐factor structure of social cognition in ASD. Controls outperformed the ASD group on 8 of the 11 social cognitive tasks, with the largest group differences occurring on two mentalizing measures, The awareness of social inference task (TASIT) and hinting task. In ASD, all tasks demonstrated strong internal consistency and avoided ceiling and floor effects. Social cognitive performance was also related to, but not redundant with, intellectual functioning. We also found support for a two‐factor structure of social cognition, with basic social perception and emotional processing aligning into a lower‐order social perception factor, while mentalizing tasks aligned into a higher‐order social appraisal factor. In sum, eight tasks showed adequate to strong psychometric properties. The psychometric data, effect size estimates, and correlations between measures reported here can be used for study planning for social cognitive interventions in autism. Autism Research 2019, 12: 766–778. © 2019 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryWe examined 11 tasks that measure how adults with autism perceive and interpret social information. Eight of the tasks were reliable and showed lower performance in adults with autism compared to typically‐developing controls. Task performance was related to but distinguishable from IQ. These measures evaluated here may be useful in assessing the effectiveness of interventions and treatments to improve social abilities in adults with autism.