The Relationship Between Measures of Cognitive Attention and Behavioral Ratings of Attention in Typically Developing Children

Abstract

In the present study, we explored the relation between performance on cognitive measures of attention (selection, sustained, and control) and behavioral ratings of inattention and hyperactivity in a sample of typically developing children aged 3 to 7 years. We also examined the influence of chronological age and IQ on both task performance and behavior ratings. Four well-documented attention paradigms were employed, the Visearch (single-target search) task as a measure of selective attention, the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) as a measure of sustained attention, the Day-Night task as a measure of response inhibition, and the Visearch (dual-target search) task as a measure of inhibitory control. The Conners' Rating Scales (Cognitive/Inattention and Hyperactivity subscales) were used to allow for a finer tuned comparison of cognitive performance as related to inattentive behaviors versus hyperactive behaviors. Findings indicate that accuracy and speed in the Visearch dual search task were the most sensitive measures relating respectively to inattentive and hyperactive rated behaviors.

Keywords:

• Attention
• Conners'
• Rating Scale
• Inhibitory tasks
• Preschool children

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from to Dr. Kim Cornish from the Canada Research Chairs Program and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. We express our thanks to the all the families who took part in the study.