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Individual differences in cognitive control: The role of psychoticism and working memory in set‐shifting
Author(s) -
Smillie Luke D.,
Cooper Andrew J.,
Tharp Ian J.,
Pelling Emma L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
british journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.536
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8295
pISSN - 0007-1269
DOI - 10.1348/000712608x382094
Subject(s) - perseveration , psychology , psychoticism , wisconsin card sorting test , cognitive psychology , cognition , set (abstract data type) , cognitive flexibility , executive functions , neuropsychology , developmental psychology , task (project management) , working memory , extraversion and introversion , personality , big five personality traits , social psychology , neuroscience , management , computer science , economics , programming language
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.