Higher Cognitive Abilities Research Articles

Behavioural Indicators of Pain and Suffering in Arthropods and Might Pain Bite Back?

Pain in response to tissue damage functions to change behaviour so that further damage is minimised whereas healing and survival are promoted. This paper focuses on the behavioural criteria that match the function to ask if pain is likely in the main taxa of arthropods. There is evidence consistent with the idea of pain in crustaceans, insects and, to a lesser extent, spiders. There is little evidence of pain in millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs but there have been few investigations of these groups. Alternative approaches in the study of pain are explored and it is suggested that studies on traumatic mating, agonistic interactions, and defensive venoms might provide clues about pain. The evolution of high cognitive ability, sensory systems, and flexible decision-making is discussed as well as how these might influence the evolution of pain-like states.

The impact of heritage language proficiency on English as an additional language: disentangling language and cognition

ABSTRACT Since the earliest studies on multilingual advantages, it has proved difficult to disentangle language development from general cognition. It remains unclear whether language interdependence is an independent variable or whether observable effects are mediated by cognitive ability. Measurable effects of one language on another typically go hand in hand with differences in cognitive ability. We hypothesise that high cognitive ability produces stronger language interdependence effects than low cognitive ability. We consider this problem in the context of heritage bilingualism in Germany comparing a linguistically mixed cohort of bilingual students (n = 557; i.e. Russian-German, n = 237; Turkish-German, n = 320) with a monolingual German control (n = 852) regarding their proficiencies in the foreign language English. We ask whether the bilingual students manifest an English development that is different from their monolingually socialised peers. We place the students in three different groups depending on their performance in a visual-spatial cognitive ability test. We fit structural equation models to test whether heritage language and German proficiency impact English proficiency differently across these groups while additionally controlling for language background and socio-economic status. Results reveal differences between the high cognitive ability groups, here interpreted as a conditioned bilingualism effect.

ANALISIS KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH SISWA DALAM MENYELESAIKAN SOAL MATEMATIKA TIPE HOTS PADA MATERI POKOK PERBANDINGAN

This study aims to find out the description of the ability of students in solving mathematical questions type Higher Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) comparative material in class VII. This research uses descriptive research using a qualitative approach. The subjects selected in this study were 3 students, the selection technique is based on each 1 student from a high-capability student group, 1 students from a medium-capable group and 1 student of a low-capacity group. Students with high cognitive abilities at C4 (analysing), C5 (evaluating), and C6 (creating) level are able to solve HOTS issues, as well as meet all phases of problem solving. But at the cognitive level C5 (evaluating) is not able to complete the entire phase of problem solving (3) Students with low cognitiveness at the level C4 (analysing), C 5 (assessing), and C 6 (creating) are unable to solve the HOTS issue and are only able to meet the stage of solving the problem of information compilation alone.

Health‐related lifestyle behaviors predict changes in cognitive status in older adults: A latent transition analysis of data from the Mexican Healthy Aging Study 2012‐2018

AbstractBackgroundHealth behaviors, such as exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption, are potentially modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia. The effect of these behaviors on cognitive function is important to examine in Mexico, which faces a rapidly aging population.MethodData came from the 2012, 2015, and 2018 waves of the Mexican Health and Aging Study. The final sample included 8,112 participants aged 60 and older. We used latent transition analysis (LTA) to identify latent statuses of cognitive functioning using standardized scores for five cognitive tasks (orientation, visual scanning, verbal learning, delayed verbal recall, and verbal fluency). We evaluated associations between baseline lifestyle behaviors and transition probabilities for latent statuses of cognitive functioning across observation waves.ResultWe identified a three‐status model across the three waves with support for measurement and stationary invariance. Latent statuses were characterized by low (24% at baseline), average (55%), and high cognitive abilities (21%). With probabilities of .66, .78, and .90, respectively, individuals’ statuses tended to stay the same between time periods. The probabilities of an individual with these statuses transitioning to death were .15, .07, and .02, respectively. For individuals with a low cognition status, reporting exercising or doing hard physical work three or more times a week on average during the two years preceding baseline was associated with lower odds of transitioning to either death (OR = 0.551, p<.001) or a high cognition status (OR = 0.006, p<.001), in relation to staying in the same status. Similarly, alcohol use for this group was associated with decreased odds of transitioning to either death (OR = 0.74, p = .040) or a high cognition status (OR = 0.005, p<.001). Finally, for individuals with a low cognition status, reporting reading regularly was associated with increased odds of transitioning to average cognition status (OR = 1.44, p<.046), in relation to staying in the same status.ConclusionFindings suggest that individuals tended to stay in the same cognitive status over time and that reading regularly predicted favorable changes in cognition. LTA may be useful for identifying discreet statuses and subsequent transitions in older adults’ cognitive functioning as determined by performance on cognitive tasks.

Association between C-reactive protein, neutrophils, lymphocytes, cognition, and functional capacity in an oldest old population

Systemic inflammatory processes can cause changes in cognition and functional capacity in the general population. Currently there are no accessible biomarkers capable of early detection and monitoring of such pathologies, and only few studies involving older than 80 years-old population were done. The C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood counts are low-cost tests that are often performed in routine basis. From the blood counts it is possible to evaluate the absolute count of neutrophils and lymphocytes, which are peripheral blood inflammatory markers. With these results, it is also possible to evaluate the neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio (NLR). Therefore, these tests may be potential biomarkers in the evaluation of the development of dementia, mild cognitive disorder, and functional dependence, with the possibility of assisting in the clinical management and prevention of such pathologies. To evaluate the association between cognition and functional capacity with C-reactive protein, absolute neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and NLR in a population of elderly people aged 80 years and older. Observational analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the cohort of the Longevous Project of the Discipline of Geriatrics and Gerontology of UNIFESP. Complete blood counts (CBC) and CRP were collected from 244 patients included in the study between 2010 and 2013. Gender and the presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were also characterized. Associations between the absolute values of neutrophils and lymphocytes and the NLR with cognitive tests (mini mental state examination, MMSE, and clock drawing test, CDT) and with functional capacity (basic activities of daily living, BADL or Katz score, and instrumental activities of daily living, IADL or Lawton score) were performed using nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskall-Wallis statistical tests. We found no associations between the markers obtained by the CBC and the cognitive assessment tests. We also found no association between the CRP and the MMSE. However, we obtained a statistically significant difference between the CRP marker and the CDT, with P = 0.003. There was no statistically significant difference between markers obtained by CBC or CRP with the BADLs. But we observed a statistically significant association between the IADLs and the absolute count of neutrophils and lymphocytes, respectively P = 0.0379 and 0.0190. The presented results contribute to the hypothesis that serum inflammatory biomarkers can be useful in the assessment of health outcomes. We identified that patients with lower functional capacity for IADLs have higher absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte counts when compared to patients with higher functional capacity. In addition, we identified that patients with low performance on CDT have CRP at higher levels when compared to patients with higher cognitive ability. Our results suggest that markers of inflammation easily obtainable through CBC and CRP may be useful for monitoring the functional and cognitive ability of long-lived people.

Analysis of students' mathematical literacy ability in solving minimum competency assessment (AKM) problems

This study aims to analyze the mathematical literacy ability of SMK students in solving the minimum competency assessment (AKM) problem in the opportunity material in terms of mathematical cognitive ability. The subjects in this study were students of class XI MM 2 SMKN 1 Wonoasri with high, medium and low mathematical cognitive abilities of 1 subject each. This type of research is qualitative research. Data collection techniques based on the results of cognitive tests, AKM and interviews. Data validity techniques with engineering triangulation. Data analysis is carried out by reducing, presenting and verifying data and drawing conclusions. The conclusion of the study is that the cognitive subjects of high mathematics at level 1 write down information in detail, level 2 uses coding and solves problems by dividing them, level 3 solves problems by simplification and multiplication. The cognitive subject of mathematics is at level 1 writing down information briefly, level 2 uses coding and solves problems by simplification, level 3 solves problems by simplification and division. The cognitive subject of low mathematics at level 1 writes down the information briefly, level 2 problem solving performed has not been completed, level 3 problem solving is not in accordance with the command.

Cognitive Flexibility in Learning Mathematics Senior High School

<p><em>Cognitive flexibility in learning mathematics is necessary to solve problems with various mathematical ideas. In completing assignments, students have different perspectives so as to bring up creative solutions that encourage problem-solving skills. This study aims to determine students' cognitive flexibility level in high school mathematics learning. This quantitative descriptive research aims to describe the contents of a variable in research, without being intended to test a particular hypothesis. The source of data used in this study was class XI students in Pontianak City totaling 173 people. Data is collected by questionnaire with data analysis calculating the percentage index results of questionnaire answers. Based on the results of the questionnaire categorizing the level of cognitive flexibility ability of students in learning mathematics, it was found that there were 39 students with the category "very high" cognitive abilities, 115 students in the "high" category, and 19 students in the "moderate" category. This shows that most high school students in Pontianak City on average have high cognitive flexibility abilities in mathematics learning. This data is supported by the statements of mathematics teachers who describe the ability of students to achieve cognitive flexibility, of course, with maximum effort in teaching. From a teaching point of view, mathematics teachers have certainly considered more innovative teaching techniques in order to grow these abilities.</em></p>

PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF PERSONAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING: COGNITIVE DIVERSITY, COGNITIVE BIAS AND QUANTUM PHYSICS

This study aims to analyze the relationship between personal attitudes towards financial decision making and three important dimensions: cognitive diversity, cognitive bias and quantum physics. To do this, a statistical technique of principal component analysis was used to examine data collected from a sample of individuals of different ages, genders, and levels of education. The results show that there is a significant relationship between personal attitudes towards financial decision-making and cognitive diversity, indicating that people with higher cognitive ability and a variety of perspectives tend to make more informed and accurate financial decisions. . Cognitive bias was also found to play an important role in financial decision making, suggesting that people with certain biases and assumptions may be biased in their financial decisions. Finally, quantum physics did not show a significant relationship with personal attitudes towards financial decision making.

Testing locus coeruleus-norepinephrine accounts of working memory, attention control, and fluid intelligence.

The current set of studies examined the relationship among workingmemory capacity, attention control, fluid intelligence, and pupillary correlates of tonic arousal regulation and phasic responsiveness in a combined sample of more than 1,000 participants in two different age ranges (young adults and adolescents). Each study was designed to test predictions made by two recent theories regarding the role of the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system in determining individual differences in cognitive ability. The first theory, proposed by Unsworth and Robison (2017a), posits two important individual differences: the moment-to-moment regulation of tonic arousal, and the phasic responsiveness of the system to goal-relevant stimuli. The second theory, proposed by Tsukahara and Engle (2021a), argues that people with higher cognitive abilities have greater functional connectivity between the LC-NE system and cortical networks at rest. These two theories are not mutually exclusive, but they make different predictions. Overall, we found no evidence consistent with a resting-state theory. However, phasic responsiveness was consistently correlated with working memory capacity, attention control, and fluid intelligence, supporting a prediction made by Unsworth and Robison (2017a). Tonic arousal regulation was not correlated with working memory or fluid intelligence and was inconsistently correlated with attention control, which offers only partial support for Unsworth and Robison's (2017a) second prediction.

Primate sympatry shapes the evolution of their brain architecture

The main hypotheses on the evolution of animal cognition emphasise the role of conspecifics in affecting the socio-ecological environment shaping cognition. Yet, space is often simultaneously occupied by multiple species from the same ecological guild. These sympatric species can compete for food, which may thereby stimulate or hamper cognition. Considering brain size as a proxy for cognition, we tested whether species sympatry impacted the evolution of cognition in frugivorous primates. We first retraced the evolutionary history of sympatry between frugivorous primate lineages. We then fitted phylogenetic models of the evolution of the size of several brain regions in frugivorous primates, considering or not species sympatry. We found that the evolution of the whole brain or brain regions used in immediate information processing was best fitted with models not considering sympatry. By contrast, models considering species sympatry best predicted the evolution of brain regions related to long-term memory of interactions with the socio-ecological environment, with a decrease in their size the higher the sympatry. We speculate that species sympatry, by generating intense food depletion, might lead to an over-complexification of resource spatiotemporality that counteracts the benefits of high cognitive abilities and/or might drive niche partitioning and specialisation, thereby inducing lower brain region sizes. In addition, we reported that primate species in sympatry diversify more slowly. This comparative study suggests that species sympatry significantly contributes to shaping primate evolution.

The association between cognitive ability and body mass index: A sibling-comparison analysis in four longitudinal studies.

Body mass index (BMI) and obesity rates have increased sharply since the 1980s. While multiple epidemiologic studies have found that higher adolescent cognitive ability is associated with lower adult BMI, residual and unobserved confounding due to family background may explain these associations. We used a sibling design to test this association accounting for confounding factors shared within households. We used data from four United States general youth population cohort studies: the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979 (NLSY-79), the NLSY-79 Children and Young Adult, the NLSY 1997 (NLSY-97), and the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS); a total of 12,250 siblings from 5,602 households followed from adolescence up to age 62. We used random effects within-between (REWB) and residualized quantile regression (RQR) models to compare between- and within-family estimates of the association between adolescent cognitive ability and adult BMI (20 to 64 years). In REWB models, moving from the 25th to 75th percentile of adolescent cognitive ability was associated with -0.95 kg/m2 (95% CI = -1.21, -0.69) lower BMI between families. Adjusting for family socioeconomic position reduced the association to -0.61 kg/m2 (-0.90, -0.33). However, within families, the association was just -0.06 kg/m2 (-0.35, 0.23). This pattern of results was found across multiple specifications, including analyses conducted in separate cohorts, models examining age-differences in association, and in RQR models examining the association across the distribution of BMI. Limitations include the possibility that within-family estimates are biased due to measurement error of the exposure, confounding via non-shared factors, and carryover effects. The association between high adolescent cognitive ability and low adult BMI was substantially smaller in within-family compared with between-family analysis. The well-replicated associations between cognitive ability and subsequent BMI may largely reflect confounding by family background factors.

Examining public perception and cognitive biases in the presumed influence of deepfakes threat: empirical evidence of third person perception from three studies

ABSTRACT Deepfakes have a pernicious realism advantage over other common forms of disinformation, yet little is known about how citizens perceive deepfakes. Using the third-person effects framework, this study is one of the first attempts to examine public perceptions of deepfakes. Evidence across three studies in the US and Singapore supports the third-person perception (TPP) bias, such that individuals perceived deepfakes to influence others more than themselves (Study 1–3). The same subjects also show a bias in perceiving themselves as better at discerning deepfakes than others (Study 1–3). However, a deepfakes detection test suggests that the third-person perceptual gaps are not predictive of the real ability to distinguish fake from real (Study 3). Furthermore, the biases in TPP and self-perceptions about their own ability to identify deepfakes are more intensified among those with high cognitive ability (Study 2-3). The findings contribute to third-person perception literature and our current understanding of citizen engagement with deepfakes.

The Effect of Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Cognitive Ability on Learning Outcomes of Sprint Running in Students of SMP Negeri 8 Tasikmalaya

This study aims to determine: (1) differences in learning outcomes for students who are taught by PBL and direct teaching methods, low and high cognitive abilities. (2) the interaction between learning methods and cognitive abilities on learning outcomes of sprints. (3) differences in learning outcomes of sprinting with the PBL and direct teaching methods in terms of high cognitive ability. (4) the difference in learning outcomes of sprinting with the PBL and direct teaching methods in terms of low cognitive ability. This research is a quasi-experimental research with a factorial design. The research sample was taken using random sampling technique, the number of samples used was 50 students of SMP Negeri 8 Tasikmalaya. Analysis of the data used is the requirements test and hypothesis testing. The results of the study show: (1) there are differences in learning outcomes between students taught by PBL and direct teaching methods, (2) there is an interaction between learning methods and cognitive abilities on learning outcomes of sprints. (3) there are differences in learning outcomes between students who are given learning using the PBL Model and the Direct Instruction Model in groups of students who have high cognitive, (4) there is no difference in the learning outcomes of sprints between students who are given learning using the PBL Model and the Direct Instruction Model in groups of students who have low cognitive abilities.

Macroevolutionary drivers of brain evolution in primates

The main hypotheses on the evolution of animal cognition emphasise the role of conspecifics in affecting the socio-ecological environment shaping cognition. Yet, space is often simultaneously occupied by multiple species from the same ecological guild. These sympatric species can compete for food, which may thereby stimulate or hamper cognition. Considering brain size as a proxy for cognition, we tested whether species sympatry impacted the evolution of cognition in frugivorous primates. We first retraced the evolutionary history of sympatry between frugivorous primate lineages. We then fitted phylogenetic models of the evolution of the size of several brain regions in frugivorous primates, considering or not species sympatry. We found that the evolution of the whole brain or brain regions used in immediate information processing was best fitted with models not considering sympatry. By contrast, models considering species sympatry best predicted the evolution of brain regions related to long-term memory of interactions with the socio-ecological environment, with a decrease in their size the higher the sympatry. We speculate that species sympatry, by generating intense food depletion, might lead to an over-complexification of resource spatiotemporality that counteracts the benefits of high cognitive abilities and/or might drive niche partitioning and specialisation, thereby inducing lower brain region sizes. In addition, we reported that primate species in sympatry diversify more slowly. This comparative study suggests that species sympatry significantly contributes to shaping primate evolution.

Selective avoidance as a cognitive response: examining the political use of social media and surveillance anxiety in avoidance behaviours

ABSTRACT As the 2020 United State Presidential election presented tense partisan conflicts, we sought to explore whether and how such a social and ideological fissure can lead to large-scale politically motivated avoidance behaviours. Building on prior literature, we examine how social media behaviours (i.e. expressive social media news use and political discussion with weak ties) and social psychological attitudes (i.e. surveillance anxiety) are associated with selective avoidance on social media. Further, we explore cognitive ability's direct and indirect roles in influencing avoidance behaviours. We used online panel survey data collected during the 2020 election to test our assumptions. The findings suggest that those with high levels of expressive social media news use, political discussions with weak ties, and surveillance anxiety engage in more frequent selective avoidance. On the contrary, those with high cognitive ability are less likely to engage in selective avoidance. Furthermore, moderation effects suggest that low cognitive users with greater surveillance anxiety and frequent discussions with weak ties are most accustomed to selective avoidance. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and policy implications of these findings.

High Cognitive Ability and Mental Health: Findings from a Large Community Sample of Adolescents.

Whereas it has sometimes been asserted that the intellectually gifted would be more prone to develop mental health problems, empirical studies generally do not seem to support such claims. However, much of the available research has relied on preselected samples, introducing risks for sample selection bias. This study scrutinized the relationship between intellectual giftedness (defined as high cognitive ability) and mental health in a large, non-selective sample of early adolescents (n = 3409; 49.6% boys; Mage = 12.5 years). Using a standardized intelligence test (CoVaT-CHC) to identify participants with a high cognitive ability (IQ ≥ 120; n = 403), we compared self- and parent-reported levels of emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and self-reported worry and global self-esteem between high and average ability adolescents. Findings indicated that adolescents with a high cognitive ability were not at increased risk of psychological maladjustment; if any, differences were in favor of the high ability group. However, adolescents who had been formally identified as gifted (i.e., who had received a gifted label) did report worse adjustment for a number of outcomes.

A Causal Latent Transition Model With Multivariate Outcomes and Unobserved Heterogeneity: Application to Human Capital Development

In order to evaluate the effect of a policy or treatment with pre- and post-treatment outcomes, we propose an approach based on a transition model, which may be applied with multivariate outcomes and accounts for unobserved heterogeneity. This model is based on potential versions of discrete latent variables representing the individual characteristic of interest and may be cast in the hidden (latent) Markov literature for panel data. Therefore, it can be estimated by maximum likelihood in a relatively simple way. The approach extends the difference-in-difference method as it is possible to deal with multivariate outcomes. Moreover, causal effects may be expressed with respect to transition probabilities. The proposal is validated through a simulation study, and it is applied to evaluate educational programs administered to pupils in the sixth and seventh grades during their middle school period. These programs are carried out in an Italian region to improve non-cognitive skills (CSs). We study if they impact also on students’ CSs in Italian and Mathematics in the eighth grade, exploiting the pretreatment test scores available in the fifth grade. The main conclusion is that the educational programs aimed to develop noncognitive abilities help the best students to maintain their higher cognitive abilities over time.

THE INFLUENCE OF SCIENCE AND IPS DEPARTMENT ON LEARNING OUTCOMES IN CLASS XI STUDENTS IN CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION.

In this study, the factors causing differences in students' abilities were focused on the intelligence factor used by the school to place students in the Science and Social Studies specialization group. This difference in placement was based on cognitive ability, and student interest carried out by the school. Schools still consider the division of the second major to be more critical based on moderate to low levels of cognitive abilities, so students are in the social studies class group, while moderate to high cognitive abilities are in the science class group. Citizenship education subjects are divided into two groups, where the groups have been divided based on students' cognitive abilities. In this group condition, the two social studies and science class groups should have a different impact on student learning outcomes. Is the justification that the Social Studies class group, which is grouped based on medium to low cognitive abilities, has lower student end-of-semester exam results than the Science class group, or is it the other way around? This research is included in the quasi-experimental research with a purposive sampling technique. This research was conducted on class XII high school students majoring in science and social studies. Data collection techniques for learning outcomes use good descriptions to measure knowledge or skills. The data analysis technique used is non-parametric (Mann-Whitney U Test). The results of the research show that the learning outcomes of students majoring in civic education in social studies are lower than those majoring in natural sciences, or the learning outcomes of students majoring in natural sciences are higher in citizenship education than students majoring in social studies.

Multivariate decomposition of gender differentials in successful aging among older adults in India

BackgroundRowe and Kahn define successful aging as a high physical, psychological, and social functioning in old age without major diseases. It is considered a viable solution to the burdens placed on healthcare systems and financial and social security in societies with aging population. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of successful aging and explore the factors contributing to gender differentials in successful aging among older adults in India.MethodsThis study utilized data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, conducted in 2017–18. The study is based on a sample of 15,098 older men and 16,366 older women aged 60 years and above. The outcome variable was a dichotomous measure of successful aging with six components including absence of chronic diseases, free from disability, high cognitive ability, free from depressive symptoms, active social engagement in life and free from obesity. Older adults satisfying all these conditions were considered aging successfully. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were carried out. Proportion test was used to evaluate the gender differentials and reflect the statistical significance in the associated factors. Multivariate decomposition analysis was conducted to identify covariates’ contribution in explaining the gender differences in successful aging.ResultsThere was a significant gender difference in successful aging among older adults in India (Difference: 8.7%; p-value < 0.001] with 34.3% older men and 25.6% older women experiencing successful aging. A proportion of 88% of gender difference in successful aging was explained by the differences in the distribution of characteristics (Coef: 0.082; p-value < 0.05). Considerable gender gap in successful aging would be reduced if women had similar levels of work status (28% reduction) to their male counterparts. Bringing the level of frequent physical activity in women to the same levels observed in men would reduce the gender gap by 9%.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that women had a lower score in successful aging, which is attributed to several socioeconomic and behavioural factors including not working status and physical inactivity. More studies must be done to explore the reasons for such differences and what particular factors in low-income countries create differences among older men and women in achieving successful aging.

Effects of Vehicle Air Temperature on Drivers’ Cognitive Abilities Based on EEG

Vehicle air temperature affects drivers’ physiology, psychology, and cognitive abilities. However, the effects are difficult to quantify, especially for jobs related to driving tasks. In this research, 10 male subjects were directly exposed to four different vehicle air temperatures of 20, 23, 26, and 30 °C for 160 min. They were asked to perform cognitive tasks and subjective questionnaires, and 16 channels of EEG signals were monitored in a vehicle cabin. Based on the assessment of the EEG characteristics, the impacts of vehicle air temperature on cognitive abilities and EEG were investigated. The results showed that the cognitive ability of drivers decreased with the rising of the ambient temperature. The subjective questionnaire scores for thermal sensation, thermal comfort and brain load increased as ambient temperature rose; meanwhile, the scores for environmental acceptance, job satisfaction and willingness to work declined. As the ambient temperature rose, the normalized power of θ activity and α activity elevated, and the vigilance and frontal EEG asymmetry decreased. At 20 °C, the completion time of cognitive ability test was the shortest, the number of errors was the smallest, and the drivers could maintain high cognitive ability. At this time, the β activity component of the EEG signal increased, and the level of alertness (AL) and prefrontal asymmetry (FEA) also increased. At 23 °C, drivers’ subjective thermal comfort reached its peak: the EEG wavelet entropy values of the two segments before and after the experiment were the largest, and the wavelet entropy difference was also the largest. A suitable vehicle air temperature aroused β activity and motivation, increased driver alertness and thus enhanced cognitive performance. Therefore, to achieve high cognitive ability and thermal comfort, the vehicle air temperature should be maintained between 20 °C and 23 °C. The research results can provide a reference for the design standards of vehicle air temperature and improve the safety of driving.