LE3 .A278 2008

2008

Brodeur, Darlene

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Psychology

Psychology

Executive function maturation has been clearly documented in early childhood with increased cognitive control emerging later in the preschool years. Despite extensive research, however the associated changes in cognitive development have not been fully specified in normally developing children or children with developmental disabilities. The current study examined cognitive maturation in children three to five years of age through the development of a select number of abilities that have been consistently associated with executive functioning; namely, problem solving and inhibition. The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) paradigm was used to measure cognitive flexibility in relation to inhibitory capacity and problem solving skills. Through computerized manipulations of the DCCS, the contributions of negative priming and rule-based learning to perseveration behavior were investigated via accuracy and response time measures. The relationship between executive function development and individual differences in attention problem symptoms in typically developing children and those with elevated levels of symptomology was further explored. Attentional capability was assessed via teacher report measures which identified problem behaviors potentially associated with developmental delays in inhibition and attentiveness. Reaction time findings revealed significant age-related effects reflective of inhibitory maturation, as well as predictive relations between DCCS performance and individual attentional abilities. Research was inspired by the premise that early identification of attention deficits may reduce associated impairments in mental health and behavioral functioning.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2998