Easier tasks can have higher processing loads: task difficulty and cognitive resource limitations in schizophrenia.

Full Abstract

A differential deficit on the more difficult of 2 cognitive tasks has been found in numerous studies of schizophrenia. Resource limitations, rather than impairments in particular cognitive abilities, can explain these findings. Researchers often match tasks for difficulty level (healthy participant performance) to rule out resource limitations. This assumes processing resource load can be estimated from task difficulty, which is not always the case. A direct measure of resource allocation is needed. In this study, pupillary responses were recorded to index resource allocation (greater dilation indicates greater allocation) during performance of the digit span distractibility task in participants with schizophrenia (n=35) and nonpsychiatric participants (n=35). Nonpsychiatric participants recalled significantly more digits in the distraction, relative to the neutral, condition but also showed significantly greater pupil dilation in the distraction condition. The psychometrically "easier" condition, therefore, had a higher processing load. Participants with schizophrenia showed greater impairment relative to nonpsychiatric participants in the distraction condition. This finding cannot be attributed to a deficit in distractibility, however, because poorer performance was found in the higher-load condition, so resource limitations cannot be ruled out.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Fish, Scott C (SC); Granholm, Eric (E);

Affiliation: Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA. sfish(-atsign-)ucsd.edu

Grants: 1P30MH066248 (Agency:United States NIMH) ; R01MH61381 (Agency:United States NIMH)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of abnormal psychology (J Abnorm Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-May; vol 117 (issue 2) : pp 355-63

Dates: Created 2008/05/20; Completed 2008/07/08;

PMID: 18489211, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Arousal
Attention
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; psychology
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.