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Garon N, Hecker O, Kwan A, Crocker TA, English SD. Integrated versus trial specific focus improves decision-making in older preschoolers. Child Neuropsychol 2023; 29:28-55. [PMID: 35430949 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2022.2063269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This study explored the effect of integrated-focus (focusing on a depiction of overall gains/losses) versus trial-focus (focusing on gains/losses at each trial) on choice in a preschool variant of the Iowa Gambling task. Participants included 65 preschoolers (M = 47.82, SD = 7.29). Children completed two versions of the Preschool Gambling task, three cool executive function tasks, a moral reasoning task, and an affective perspective taking task. The results indicated that while the integrated-focus condition led to improvement in the awareness of the game, the condition effect was moderated by age for decision-making choice; older preschoolers showed improvement in decision-making in the integrated focus condition, while younger preschoolers showed no condition effect. Further analysis indicated that differences in the increase of advantageous choice across blocks and the condition effect were partly explained by these differences in awareness. Furthermore, a component of cool executive function (shifting) was associated with the latter phase of decision-making. The findings additionally indicated an association of advantageous decision-making with moral/emotional measures, suggesting that the PGT may be a potentially useful clinical tool for early assessment. Finally, the findings of the current study have implications for how hot and cool executive function abilities may work together to enable adaptive decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Garon
- Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, Canada
| | - Olivia Hecker
- Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, Canada
| | - Andrea Kwan
- Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, Canada
| | - Terese A Crocker
- Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, Canada
| | - Sarah D English
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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Garon NM, English SD. Heterogeneity of decision-making strategies for preschoolers on a variant of the IGT. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2022; 11:811-824. [PMID: 34505556 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2021.1973470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive decision-making strategies are critical for dealing with the complexity of the social world. The present study investigated the use of decision-making strategies in preschoolers and their association to prosocial behavior and peer problems. Eighty-six preschoolers aged 3- and 4-years completed the preschool decision-making task (PGT), a child variant of the Iowa Gambling task . Win-stay/lose-shift responses along with exploration (consecutive choices from the advantageous deck) and exploitation (shifting between options) were examined. Preschoolers showed a range of strategies, with 4-year-olds adapting their approach as the game progressed and making better use of feedback in comparison to 3-year-olds. Children who differed in terms of choices from the advantageous deck were distinguished by different combinations of exploration and exploitation. Furthermore, unique combinations of decision-making strategies also distinguished children who were rated as high versus low in prosocial behavior as well as children rated as having a high versus low level of peer problems. The findings suggest that consideration of strategies used in decision-making tasks could provide useful insight in a clinical setting, particularly for populations with social difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Marie Garon
- Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, Canada
| | - Sarah D English
- Department of Psychology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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Beaussart-Corbat ML, Barbarot S, Farges D, Martin L, Roy A. Executive functions in preschool-aged children with neurofibromatosis type 1: Value for early assessment. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2021; 43:163-175. [PMID: 33685350 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2021.1893277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Executive functions (EFs) impairment is common in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and could be a significant vulnerability associated with this medical disorder. However, we still know little about EFs in preschool NF1. Our study assessed EFs in NF1 children using performance-based tests and daily life questionnaires, which combined the views of parents and teachers.Method: Seven classic experimental tasks were used to evaluate EFs in 33 NF1 children aged 3 to 5 years old, and BRIEF-P questionnaires were completed by their parents and teachers. These children's performance was compared with a control group of 52 healthy children matched in age, gender and socio-cultural status.Results: NF1 children have significantly lower scores for 5 out of 7 executive tasks than control children and significantly higher levels of EF concerns in the parent and teacher BRIEF-P ratings. The correlations between performance-based tests and questionnaires are weak.Conclusions: Our results support an early executive dysfunction in NF1 children and call for early and systematic assessment of EFs. Both performance-based tests and questionnaires are complementary tools to investigate early EFs dysfunction in children with NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sébastien Barbarot
- Department of Dermatology, Nantes University, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France.,Neurofibromatosis Clinic, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
| | - Denis Farges
- Pediatrics Department, Angers University Hospital, France
| | - Ludovic Martin
- Department of Dermatology, Angers University Hospital, France.,Reference Center for Inherited Skin Disorders (MAGEC Nord), Angers University Hospital, France
| | - Arnaud Roy
- Laboratory of Psychology, LPPL EA4638, University of Angers, Angers, France.,Neurofibromatosis Clinic, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.,Reference Center for Learning Disabilities, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France
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Buelow MT, Hupp JM, Porter BL, Coleman CE. The effect of prosody on decision making: Speech rate influences speed and quality of decisions. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-018-9899-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Wilson J, Andrews G, Shum DHK. Delay of gratification in middle childhood: Extending the utility and sensitivity of the standard task. Psych J 2017; 6:8-15. [PMID: 28371555 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The ability to delay gratification is an important aspect of the development of self-regulation and executive functioning. Standard tasks to assess delay of gratification are typically only useful up to age 5 years. A modified task was developed and administered to a sample of 126 (59 males and 67 females) typically developing Australian children aged 5-12 years. Results showed that 7-year-olds were significantly more likely to delay than 5-year-olds. A ceiling effect was observed from age 7 onwards. Performance on the modified task correlated significantly with other executive functioning tasks, demonstrating the convergent validity of the task. This study was successful in extending the usefulness of the standard delay of gratification task to age 7. Suggestions for further development of this task are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Wilson
- School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Glenda Andrews
- School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David H K Shum
- School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
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Garon N, Longard J. Loss Frequency Versus Long-Term Outcome in Preschoolers' Decision Making on a Child Variant of the Iowa Gambling Task. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2014; 4:221-9. [PMID: 25265197 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2013.856311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The current study explored the effect of loss frequency and long-term expected outcome on decision making in 86 preschoolers. Children were randomly assigned to 2 versions of a child-friendly Iowa Gambling Task. In the high-conflict condition, the deck with the highest long-term outcome also had the highest frequency of loss, whereas the deck with the lowest long-term outcome had the lowest frequency of loss, setting up a conflict between preference for lower frequency of loss and preference for a higher long-term outcome. In the low-conflict condition, the highest long-term outcome deck had the lowest frequency of loss and the lowest long-term outcome deck had the highest frequency of loss. Results suggested age and sex differences in decision making. Specifically, the results suggested that preschoolers are able to make advantageous decisions when choices do not conflict in terms of loss frequency and long-term outcome. Finally, the results suggest that girls tend to focus more on loss frequency than boys when making choices. The findings have implications for assessment of decision making and hot executive functions in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Garon
- a Department of Psychology , Mount Allison University , Sackville , New Brunswick , Canada
| | - Julie Longard
- b Department of Psychology , Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia , Canada
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Garon N, Longard J, Craig B, Kent K. Loss Frequency and Awareness Predict Performance on a Preschool Variant of the Iowa Gambling Task. JOURNAL OF COGNITION AND DEVELOPMENT 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/15248372.2013.826662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Crişan LG, Pana S, Vulturar R, Heilman RM, Szekely R, Druğa B, Dragoş N, Miu AC. Genetic contributions of the serotonin transporter to social learning of fear and economic decision making. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2009; 4:399-408. [PMID: 19535614 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsp019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) modulates emotional and cognitive functions such as fear conditioning (FC) and decision making. This study investigated the effects of a functional polymorphism in the regulatory region (5-HTTLPR) of the human 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) gene on observational FC, risk taking and susceptibility to framing in decision making under uncertainty, as well as multidimensional anxiety and autonomic control of the heart in healthy volunteers. The present results indicate that in comparison to the homozygotes for the long (l) version of 5-HTTLPR, the carriers of the short (s) version display enhanced observational FC, reduced financial risk taking and increased susceptibility to framing in economic decision making. We also found that s-carriers have increased trait anxiety due to threat in social evaluation, and ambiguous threat perception. In addition, s-carriers also show reduced autonomic control over the heart, and a pattern of reduced vagal tone and increased sympathetic activity in comparison to l-homozygotes. This is the first genetic study that identifies the association of a functional polymorphism in a key neurotransmitter-related gene with complex social-emotional and cognitive processes. The present set of results suggests an endophenotype of anxiety disorders, characterized by enhanced social learning of fear, impaired decision making and dysfunctional autonomic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liviu G Crişan
- Department of Psychology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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