Investigating the relationship between intelligence and executive function through visual scanning strategies

Executive function (EF) refers to a set of cognitive processes responsible for higher-order thinking, behavioral regulation, and goal-directed behavior, while intelligence is considered a contributing factor to cognitive performance. Previous research has explored the relationship between these two constructs, but it has potentially overlooked the individual differences necessary for a comprehensive understanding of its complexity. This study aimed to investigate these individual differences in EF by employing novel eye-tracking methodology within a Go/No-Go task. We recruited 99 participants from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to complete an adapted Go/No-Go task and the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence Second Edition (WASI-II). We found that higher intelligence was associated with more efficient visual scanning strategies (i.e. fewer fixations and longer durations). Individuals who made fewer fixations and had longer fixation durations scored higher on block design, matrix reasoning, and vocabulary subscales in the WASI-II, and fixation duration significantly predicted intelligence.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Bailee C

Contributors dc:contributor

• Eschman, Bret
• Shelton, Jill T.; Clark, Amanda
• College of Arts and Sciences

• Executive functions (Neuropsychology)--Testing
• Eye tracking
• Visual perception--Physiological aspects
• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

Licence

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English, eng

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/993

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-2190