Effects of rule uncertainty on cognitive flexibility in a card-sorting paradigm

Lange, F.; Kip, A.; Klein, T.; Müller, D.; Seer, C.; Kopp, B.

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

Cognitive flexibility has been studied in two separate research traditions. Neuropsychologists typically rely on rather complex assessment tools such as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). In contrast, task-switching paradigms are used in experimental psychology to obtain more specific measures of cognitive flexibility. We aim to contribute to the integration of these research traditions by examining the role of the key factor that differs between the WCST and experimental task-switching paradigms: rule uncertainty. In two experimental studies, we manipulated the degree of rule uncertainty after rule switches in a computerized version of the WCST. Across a variety of task parameters, reducing rule uncertainty consistently impaired the speed and accuracy of responses when the rule designated to be more likely turned out to be incorrect. Other performance measures such as the number of perseverative errors were not significantly affected by rule uncertainty. We conclude that a fine-grained analysis of WCST performance can dissociate behavioural indicators that are affected vs. unaffected by rule uncertainty. By this means, it is possible to integrate WCST results and findings obtained from task-switching paradigms that do not involve rule uncertainty.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftActa Psychologica
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume190
Seitenbereich53-64
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2018 (01.10.2018)
Sprache, in der die Publikation verfasst istEnglisch
DOI10.1016/j.actpsy.2018.07.002
StichwörterWisconsin Card Sorting Test; Cognitive flexibility; Executive functioning; Task switching; Cognitive control; Uncertainty

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Kip, Ahlke Katharina
Professur für Klinische Psychologie, Psychotherapie und Gesundheitspsychologie (Prof. Morina)