RESUMO

Antecedentes: distintos autores indican que las actitudes hacia las matemáticas, las funciones ejecutivas y el conocimiento matemático previo representan variables centrales en el aprendizaje de esta asignatura; no obstante, no se dispone de evidencia respecto a su contribución conjunta y relativa para la predicción del desempeño en matemáticas en estudiantes de nivel secundario. Objetivo general: analizar la contribución de la competencia percibida, el gusto por las matemáticas, las funciones ejecutivas y el conocimiento previo en la predicción del desempeño en matemáticas en estudiantes de primer y segundo año del nivel secundario. Método: participaron 178 estudiantes de los primeros años de secundaria (edad M = 13.4 años, DE = .32; 45.5% varones). Resultados: se halló que el conjunto de variables explicó el 49% de la varianza en el desempeño en matemáticas, siendo la competencia percibida, el gusto por las matemáticas y la memoria de trabajo predictores significativos. No se hallaron diferencias en la fuerza de la relación de la memoria de trabajo con el desempeño en matemáticas entre los años escolares analizados. Conclusiones: los aspectos actitudinales evaluados y la memoria de trabajo representan variables de importancia para predecir el desempeño en matemáticas en el nivel secundario. Palabras claves: desempeño académico; funciones ejecutivas; actitudes hacia las matemáticas; adolescentes.

Background: Different authors indicate that attitudes towards mathematics, executive functions, and prior mathematical knowledge represent central variables in mathematics learning; however, there is no evidence about their joint and relative contribution to the prediction of mathematics performance in high school students. Main goal: To analyze the contribution of perceived competence, mathematics enjoyment, executive functions, and prior knowledge in the prediction of mathematics performance in first and second-year high school students. Method: Participants were 178 students who were enrolled in the first two years of high school (Mage = 13.4 years, SD = .32; 45.5% boys). Results: The set of variables explained 49% of the variance in mathematics performance, with perceived competence, mathematics enjoyment, and working memory being significant predictors. No differences were found in the strength of the relationship between working memory and mathematics performance between the school years analyzed. Conclusions: The evaluated attitudinal aspects and working memory represent important variables to predict performance in mathematics at the secondary level. Keywords: academic achievement; executive functions; attitudes towards math; adolescents.

RESUMO

La batería de Autorregulación Cognitiva -TAC-es una herramienta informatizada para la evaluación de los principales procesos ejecutivos en una modalidad de administración presencial. Aunque sus características técnicas hacen viable su administración en una modalidad remota y asincrónica aún no cuenta con evidencias de validez y confiabilidad de sus puntuaciones en una modalidad de administración no presencial. Por ello, este estudio propone obtener evidencias de las propiedades psicométricas de la Tarea de los Dedos -TAC-en su modalidad de administración remota y asincrónica para la evaluación de la Inhibición comportamental y la flexibilidad cognitiva en personas adultas. Para cumplir con este objetivo, se analizó la presencia de dos efectos experimentales que aportan validez de constructo y se comparó su desempeño en las dos modalidades de administración. Finalmente, se analizó la confiabilidad de las puntuaciones a través del método de división por mitades. Los resultados obtenidos aportan evidencia empírica de las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento(AU)

The cognitive self-regulation battery -TAC-is a computerized tool designed to evaluate the work memory, three inhibitory processes and cognitive flexibility. There is still no evidence of validity and reliability of their scores in remote administration mode. The goal of this work is to obtain evidence of reliability and validity for the tac fingers task in remote and asynchronous administration mode for cognitive flexibility and behavioral inhibition evaluation in the adult population. It was analyzed iftwo experimental effects were detected. Its presence indicates the activation or participation of cognitive flexibility and behavioral inhibition in the resolution of activities proposed by the task. Also, the performance of the participants in both modalities was compared. The internal consistency was analyzed through the method of division by halves. The results obtained provide empirical evidence of psychometric properties of TAC fingers task for evaluation of cognitive flexibility and behavioral inhibition in the adult population(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Resumen Desde el enfoque no-unitario de la inhibición, se identifican tres procesos inhibitorios: inhibición perceptual, cognitiva y de la respuesta. Esta última permite suprimir conductas prepotentes e inapropiadas para los objetivos en curso. En los últimos años se evaluaron diferentes intervenciones orientadas a optimizar la inhibición de la respuesta durante los inicios de la escuela primaria; sin embargo, los estudios resultan insuficientes para evaluar la eficacia de estas intervenciones sobre el proceso entrenado y otros procesos inhibitorios e identificar las características asociadas a los resultados. En este estudio se propuso analizar la eficacia de un entrenamiento de la inhibición de la respuesta en niños en los primeros años de escolaridad primaria, sobre este proceso y la inhibición perceptual, a corto y largo plazo; y estudiar si variables como la edad y el nivel inhibitorio de base de los participantes se relacionan con los resultados. Participaron 93 niños (de 6 a 8 años), asignados a un grupo de entrenamiento y otro de control, en un diseño experimental con pre-test y dos post-test. Se observaron efectos, atribuibles al entrenamiento, sobre el desempeño de una tarea de inhibición de la respuesta a corto plazo, siendo los niños con un nivel inhibitorio de base más bajo quienes presentaron mayores beneficios. Se discute sobre el aporte de los resultados al modelo no-unitario de la inhibición, el alcance de las intervenciones y el estudio de las características de los participantes en relación con los efectos del entrenamiento.

Abstract From non-unitary perspective of inhibition, three inhibitory processes are identified: perceptual, cognitive and response inhibition. Response inhibition allows suppressing prepotent and inappropriate responses for the current purposes. In the last years, different interventions targeted at optimizing it during the first years of school period. However, the studies are insufficient to understand the efficacy of the interventions on response inhibition and other inhibitory processes, both short- and long-term; and the characteristics that are linked to the results. The goals aims: to analyze the efficacy of a response inhibition training on this process and perceptual inhibition, both short- and long-term, in children in the first years of elementary school; and to analyze if the relationships of age and the level of inhibition in pre-test are related to the results. The participants (93 children, from 6 to 8 years old) were assigned to a training or a control group, in an experimental design, with a pre-test and two post-tests. We observed effects in the short term on children's performance on a response inhibition task. The children who benefited more from the intervention were those who started the intervention with a lower level of inhibition. We discuss the contribution of these results to non-unitary perspective, the scope of the interventions and the study of the participants' characteristics related to the results.

RESUMO

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo desarrollar y validar el Cuestionario de Funciones Ejecutivas (CUFE), un cuestionario accesible para evaluar las tres principales funciones ejecutivas (memoria de trabajo, inhibición y flexibilidad cognitiva) en niños de 9 a 12 años y, así, proporcionar valores descriptivos de referencia y evidencias acerca de su confiabilidad y validez. Para ello se analizó su funcionamiento en una muestra de 269 niños argentinos de 9 a 12 años de edad, alumnos del segundo ciclo de la escuela primaria. El análisis factorial exploratorio reveló una estructura de tres factores que explicaban 49.08 % de la varianza, con cargas factoriales unidimensionales y satisfactorias. Los factores retenidos presentaron buenos índices de confiabilidad y fueron llamados: memoria de trabajo, inhibición y flexibilidad y con-trol emocional. La memoria de trabajo se asoció con la comprensión lectora, el cálculo matemático y las calificaciones escolares de Prácticas del lenguaje y Matemática. Las restantes dos subescalas se asociaron con las calificaciones escolares de ambas asignaturas. Las dimensiones del cuestionario coinciden con los actuales modelos teóricos de funcionamiento ejecutivo. En función de las evidencias de validez y confiabilidad, el CUFE se presenta como un instrumento ecológico y valioso para la medición de las funciones ejecutivas en el contexto de la evaluación infantil

The present study aimed to develop and validate an accessible questionnaire to assess the three core execu-tive functions (working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility) in children aged 9-12 years: the Executive Function Questionnaire (CUFE), and to provide descrip-tive baseline values and evidence about its reliability and validity. The questionnaire was tested on a sample of 269 Argentinean children from 9 to 12 years old. Children attended elementary schools in Mar del Plata's city. The exploratory factorial analysis revealed a three-factor structure that explained 49.08% of the variance. The items were unidimensional and showed satisfactory factor loadings. The retained factors presented good reliability and were called working memory, inhibition and flexibility, and emotional control. Working memory was associated with reading comprehension, mathemat-ical skills, and school grades (language practices and mathematics). Inhibition and flexibility, and emotional control were associated with school grades. The factors were consistent with current theoretical models on executive functioning. Based on the evidence obtained, the cufe represents an ecological and valuable instru-ment for measuring executive functions on children

O presente estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e validar um questionário acessível para avaliar as três principais funções executivas (memória de trabalho, inibição, flexibilidade cognitiva) em crianças de 9 a 12 anos: o Questionário de Funções Executivas (cufe); e fornecer valores de referência descritivos e evidên-cias sobre sua confiabilidade e validade. Para tanto, foi analisado seu funcionamento em uma amostra de 269 crianças argentinas entre 9 e 12 anos, estudantes do se-gundo ciclo do ensino fundamental. A análise fatorial exploratória revelou uma estrutura de três fatores que explicou 49.08% da variância, com cargas fatoriais unidi-mensionais satisfatórias. Os fatores retidos apresentaram bons índices de confiabilidade e foram denominados Memória de trabalho, Inibição e Flexibilidade e con-trole emocional. A memória de trabalho foi associada à compreensão de leitura, ao cálculo matemático e às notas escolares de Prática de Linguagem e Matemática. As duas subescalas restantes foram associadas às notas escolares de ambas as disciplinas. As dimensões do ques-tionário coincidem com os modelos teóricos atuais de funcionamento executivo. Com base nas evidências de validade e confiabilidade, o cufe apresenta-se como um instrumento ecológico e valioso para a mensuração das funções executivas no contexto da avaliação infantil

Assuntos

RESUMO

Aging causes changes that affect functioning of cognitive processes such as cognitive flexibility (CF). Given it allows changing both behavior and thinking in dynamic contexts, it constitutes an essential trait of adaptive, goal-oriented behavior. Despite its importance, specific techniques to evaluate CF in older adults are lacking. The goal of this article is to describe and comparatively analyze the functioning of CF in a sample of 169 individuals representing three age groups-younger-age, middle-age and advanced-age adults-by obtaining evidence of internal and external validity. Using a correlational and cross-sectional research design, four studies were conducted in order to evaluate construct validity-fulfillment of experimental paradigm criteria and contrast between groups and tests with different methods. In addition to the Fingers Task, the study used the CAMBIOS Cognitive Flexibility Test, TAC's Conjunction Visual Search Task (which evaluates perceptual inhibition) and a verbal fluency task with changes. The results provide evidence of the functioning of CF in adulthood and advanced age, which has implications for neurocognitive clinical evaluation in these stages of life. Additionally, evidence was obtained in favor of the concurrent validity of the instruments used to measure CF, contributing to the solidity of future studies on this executive function.

Assuntos

RESUMO

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relación de las funciones ejecutivas con las estrategias cognitivas de regulación emocional no adaptativas (ECRE-NA) en niños, controlando el género y los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión; así como analizar el posible efecto moderador de estos factores en dicha relación. Fueron evaluados 95 niños de 9 a 12 años de edad. Los resultados mostraron que menores niveles de memoria de trabajo y de flexibilidad cognitiva predijeron mayor rumiación; y que una menor capacidad de flexibilidad cognitiva predijo mayor autoculpabilización. El género moderó - marginalmente - las relaciones de la memoria de trabajo y la flexibilidad cognitiva con la rumiación, en el sentido de que un menor desempeño en ambas funciones ejecutivas predijo la rumiación en mayor proporción entre las mujeres que entre los varones. Se espera que estos resultados contribuyan a la mejora del diseño de programas de intervención de promoción de la salud mental infantil.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a relação das funções executivas com as estratégias cognitivas de regulação emocional não adaptivas em crianças, controlando o gênero e os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão; bem como analisar o possível efeito moderador desses fatores. Um total de 95 crianças entre 9 e 12 anos foram avaliadas. Os resultados mostraram que níveis mais baixos de memória de trabalho e flexibilidade cognitiva predisseram maior ruminação; e que uma menor capacidade de flexibilidade cognitiva predisse maior autoculpabilização. O gênero influiu - marginalmente - nas relações de memória de trabalho e flexibilidade cognitiva com a ruminação, no sentido de que um desempenho inferior em ambas as funções executivas predisse ruminação em uma proporção maior entre as meninas que entre os meninos. Espera-se que estes resultados contribuam para a melhoria do desenho de programas de intervenção na promoção da saúde mental infantil.

The aim of this work was to analyze the relationship of executive functions with maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies in children, controlling for gender and for symptoms of anxiety and depression; as well as analyzing the possible moderating effect of these factors. A total of 95 children between 9 and 12 years old were evaluated. The results showed that lower levels of working memory and cognitive flexibility predicted greater rumination; and that a lower capacity for cognitive flexibility predicted greater self-blaming. Gender moderated - marginally - the relationships of working memory and cognitive flexibility with rumination, in the sense that a lower performance in both executive functions predicted rumination in a higher proportion among girls than among boys. It is expected that these results will contribute to the improvement in the design of intervention programs for promotion of mental health in children.

RESUMO

Inhibition constitutes one of the main executive functions and it is important to more complex skills such as fluid intelligence. Actually, there is an agreement on distinguishing three inhibitory types: perceptual, cognitive and response inhibition. Several studies show the differential engagement of these inhibitory types in different skills. However, there is no registered evidence about the differential relation of inhibitory types with fluid intelligence. This inquiry is especially important during the first school years, since in this stage, inhibitory processes would already be differentiated, and inhibitory processes and fluid intelligence are linked to the performance of children in the school setting. For these reasons, the goal of this work is to study the relation and contribution of perceptual, cognitive, and response inhibition with fluid intelligence, in children in the first years of primary school. For that purpose, a sample of children from six to eight years old (N = 178) was tested with a perceptual inhibition task (perception of similarities and differences task); a cognitive inhibition task (proactive interference task); a response inhibition task (stop signal task); and a fluid intelligence task (progressive matrices task). We observed significant correlations between perceptual and response inhibition and fluid intelligence (controlling for age), but only perceptual inhibition explains significantly part of the performance in the fluid intelligence task. This study provides data about the specific contribution, during childhood, of an inhibitory type to fluid intelligence and contributes empirical evidence in support of the non-unitary approach of inhibition.

La inhibición constituye una de las principales funciones ejecutivas, siendo fundamental para otras habilidades más complejas, tales como la inteligencia fluida. Actualmente, existe acuerdo en distinguir tres procesos inhibitorios: inhibición perceptual, cognitiva y de la respuesta. Distintos estudios muestran que los tipos inhibitorios participan de manera diferencial en diversas habilidades, aunque no se registra evidencia sobre la relación diferencial de los mismos con la inteligencia fluida. Su estudio es especialmente importante durante los primeros años de la escuela primaria, donde los procesos inhibitorios estarían diferenciados y tanto ellos como la inteligencia fluida se vinculan con el desempeño de los niños en el ámbito escolar. Por estos motivos, este trabajo se propuso analizar la relación y contribución de la inhibición perceptual, cognitiva y de la respuesta con la inteligencia fluida en niños en los primeros años de la escuela primaria. Para ello, una muestra de niños de seis a ocho años de edad (N = 178) fue evaluada con una tarea de inhibición perceptual (test de percepción de diferencias y similitudes), una tarea de inhibición cognitiva (tarea de interferencia proactiva), una tarea de inhibición de la respuesta (basada en el paradigma stop signal ) y una tarea de inteligencia fluida (test de matrices progresivas). Se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre la inhibición perceptual y de la respuesta con la inteligencia fluida (controlando la edad), pero solo la inhibición perceptual explica de manera significativa parte del rendimiento en la tarea de inteligencia fluida. Este estudio aporta datos específicos sobre la contribución de un tipo inhibitorio a la inteligencia fluida durante la niñez, así como evidencia empírica a favor del modelo no-unitario de la inhibición.

RESUMO

In daily life, when a bee approaches us while we are sitting in the garden, we must pay attention to that threatening stimulus and give an appropriate response. However, if this bee approaches us while riding a bike, we must inhibit that distractor to avoid an accident. In this case, avoiding the interference of an emotional stimuli and continuing with the task should be preferential. In general, perceptual inhibition is responsible for controlling and suppressing the environmental distractions that interrupt the course of the realization of a goal. In this study, 435 children performed a modified flanker task with entirely irrelevant emotional and neutral stimuli in order to assess perceptual inhibition in contexts with high and low emotional salience. The results showed that entirely irrelevant distractors affected performance, but that there were no significant differences according to whether these distractors were emotionally salient or neutral. These results constitute a first approach to the problem of emotional interference in children considering the multidimensional approach of inhibition.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Working memory is a process of great relevance during childhood due to its role in diverse complex skills. Like the rest of executive functions, it is highly sensitive to environmental influences, so it is assumed that it could be modified through targeted interventions. A large number of working memory training studies in children aim to achieve transfer effects both on this process and on those with which it is related. Although some promising results have been found, the efficacy of working memory training cannot be affirmed; methodological quality of studies is one of the main reasons for this. Compliance with basic methodological criteria (inclusion of a control group that must preferably be active, random assignment of participants to groups) has a great impact on the internal validity of the studies. Furthermore, the need to control for the effects of motivational factors associated with the intervention is added and emphasized. This study reviews the fulfillment of these criteria in process-based working memory training literature in children, analyzing its impact on internal validity. Limitations of the field in relation to the lack of compliance with the proposed criteria are discussed and alternatives are suggested in order to improve the quality of future studies.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Resumen Desde la perspectiva no unitaria de la inhibición, la resistencia a la interferencia de los distractores refiere al proceso inhibitorio que participa en la atención selectiva; experimenta durante la infancia importantes cambios en su desarrollo y resulta fundamental para el desempeño de los niños en diversas actividades. Este trabajo se propuso diseñar una tarea de entrenamiento -informatizada, con un abordaje basado en procesos y a partir del paradigma de Flancos (Eriksen & Eriksen, 1974)- de este proceso inhibitorio, para niños con desarrollo típico de 6 a 8 años de edad; administrarla y analizar los efectos del entrenamiento sobre el proceso entrenado y otros no entrenados. Se trabajó con 54 niños, en 1º, 2º y 3º año de la escolaridad primaria. Se aplicó un diseño experimental con medidas pre y post-test (donde se administraron tareas de evaluación de resistencia a la interferencia de los distractores, inhibición de la respuesta y memoria de trabajo viso-espacial), un grupo experimental (que recibió el entrenamiento de la resistencia a la interferencia de distractores) y un grupo control activo. Luego de la intervención el grupo experimental presentó un mejor desempeño en una tarea que demanda el proceso entrenado. No se encontraron efectos sobre el rendimiento en otras tareas. Los efectos hallados son bajos, pudiendo deberse a la baja intensidad y duración de la intervención. Sin embargo, podrían constituir un aporte a la diferenciación de procesos inhibitorios, específicamente de la resistencia a la interferencia de distractores respecto y de la inhibición de la respuesta, en tanto el entrenamiento genera efectos en el proceso entrenado pero no el otro.

Abstract From the non-unitary perspective of inhibition, resistance to distractor interference is an inhibitory process related to selective attention, has developmental improvements throughout childhood and plays an important role in the children's performance in multiple activities. This work is aimed to design and administrate a resistance to interference distractor training task for children with typical development, between 6 and 8 years of age (a processes-based computerized flanker task). Also, this work is aimed to analyze the effects of the intervention on trained process and non-trained processes. We recruited children (n= 54) in the first three years of primary-school education. The study consisted of an experimental pre-test, post-test design (resistance to distractor interference, response inhibition and visuospatial working memory were administered), with experimental group (training resistance to distractor interference group) and active control group. After intervention, experimental group performed better in a resistance to distractor interference task. No effects on performance in other tasks were found. These small effects could be explained by the duration and the intensity of the intervention. However, these results contribute to non-unitary perspective about the differentiation of inhibitory processes, especially, to differentiation of resistance to distractor interference and response inhibition, because effects on trained process and absence of transfer to non-trained process were observed.