Executive dysfunction and weak central coherence : neither theory suitably explains a core cognitive deficit in autism spectrum disorders

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dc.contributor.advisorThomas, Kevinen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorDaniels, Michelleen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-12-28T14:59:37Z
dc.date.available2014-12-28T14:59:37Z
dc.date.issued2008en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 112-124).en_ZA
dc.description.abstractTheories of weak central coherence (WCC; a local detail-specific way of processing information that allows individuals to focus on and remember minutiae) and executive dysfunction (EF dysfunction; an inability to employ goal-directed cognition to plan, organize, and alternate between tasks, or to inhibit incorrect responses) largely dominate current understandings of the neurocognitive profile in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Recent empirical evidence suggests, however, that neither theory adequately explains the uneven profile of autistic cognition (e.g., attention deficits and relative spatial strengths), and that neither is satisfactorily applicable to autistic individuals across the spectrum. Moreover, recent research provides results contradictory to those predicted by these theoretical frameworks. Consequently, the theories' validity as explanations of a core cognitive deficit in ASD has come into question. The current research attempts to resolve some of the questions raised by the shortcomings of these two theoretical frameworks. In addition, this research aims to investigate the nature of spatial cognition as an assumed strength following from reports of enhanced visiospatial skill in ASD. Twenty-five high-functioning autistic (HFA; IQ> 70), 16 low-functioning autistic (LFA; IQ::: 70), 13 Asperger's syndrome (AS), 13 mentally retarded (MR), and 22 typically developing (TD) children matched according to sex and handedness were assessed on a comprehensive battery of clinical and experimental neurocognitive measures. There were no group differences on the EF domain, attentional control. On the domains of cognitive flexibility and goal setting, participants in both the AS and LF A groups did not display the EF deficit predicted by the EF dysfunction theory when compared to IQ-matched controls. Results: The only support shown for EF dysfunction was with HF A children. These participants made significantly more perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sort Test64 (WCST64 ) as an outcome variable of cognitive flexibility and performed more poorly on the Tower of London (ToL) total correct (cognitive flexibility) and total time (goal-setting) scores than controls, without the influence of IQ. In terms of WCC, AS and LF A participants performed no better than IQ-matched controls on visuo-spatial tasks- the Block Design (BD), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF), and Children's Embedded Figures Test (CEFT). Broader spatial cognition was similarly intact but not superior in AS and LF A participants. On those spatial measures not influenced heavily by intelligence, the HF A group were shown to have a diminished capacity for allocentric spatial cognition compared to controls. The results of this investigation provided only partial support for the theory of EF dysfunction and no support for the theory of WCC. Instead, they suggest that neither theory is suitable as an explanation of a core cognitive deficit in ASD.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationDaniels, M. (2008). <i>Executive dysfunction and weak central coherence : neither theory suitably explains a core cognitive deficit in autism spectrum disorders</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10396en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationDaniels, Michelle. <i>"Executive dysfunction and weak central coherence : neither theory suitably explains a core cognitive deficit in autism spectrum disorders."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10396en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationDaniels, M. 2008. Executive dysfunction and weak central coherence : neither theory suitably explains a core cognitive deficit in autism spectrum disorders. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Daniels, Michelle AB - Theories of weak central coherence (WCC; a local detail-specific way of processing information that allows individuals to focus on and remember minutiae) and executive dysfunction (EF dysfunction; an inability to employ goal-directed cognition to plan, organize, and alternate between tasks, or to inhibit incorrect responses) largely dominate current understandings of the neurocognitive profile in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Recent empirical evidence suggests, however, that neither theory adequately explains the uneven profile of autistic cognition (e.g., attention deficits and relative spatial strengths), and that neither is satisfactorily applicable to autistic individuals across the spectrum. Moreover, recent research provides results contradictory to those predicted by these theoretical frameworks. Consequently, the theories' validity as explanations of a core cognitive deficit in ASD has come into question. The current research attempts to resolve some of the questions raised by the shortcomings of these two theoretical frameworks. In addition, this research aims to investigate the nature of spatial cognition as an assumed strength following from reports of enhanced visiospatial skill in ASD. Twenty-five high-functioning autistic (HFA; IQ> 70), 16 low-functioning autistic (LFA; IQ::: 70), 13 Asperger's syndrome (AS), 13 mentally retarded (MR), and 22 typically developing (TD) children matched according to sex and handedness were assessed on a comprehensive battery of clinical and experimental neurocognitive measures. There were no group differences on the EF domain, attentional control. On the domains of cognitive flexibility and goal setting, participants in both the AS and LF A groups did not display the EF deficit predicted by the EF dysfunction theory when compared to IQ-matched controls. Results: The only support shown for EF dysfunction was with HF A children. These participants made significantly more perseverative errors on the Wisconsin Card Sort Test64 (WCST64 ) as an outcome variable of cognitive flexibility and performed more poorly on the Tower of London (ToL) total correct (cognitive flexibility) and total time (goal-setting) scores than controls, without the influence of IQ. In terms of WCC, AS and LF A participants performed no better than IQ-matched controls on visuo-spatial tasks- the Block Design (BD), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF), and Children's Embedded Figures Test (CEFT). Broader spatial cognition was similarly intact but not superior in AS and LF A participants. On those spatial measures not influenced heavily by intelligence, the HF A group were shown to have a diminished capacity for allocentric spatial cognition compared to controls. The results of this investigation provided only partial support for the theory of EF dysfunction and no support for the theory of WCC. Instead, they suggest that neither theory is suitable as an explanation of a core cognitive deficit in ASD. DA - 2008 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2008 T1 - Executive dysfunction and weak central coherence : neither theory suitably explains a core cognitive deficit in autism spectrum disorders TI - Executive dysfunction and weak central coherence : neither theory suitably explains a core cognitive deficit in autism spectrum disorders UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10396 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/10396
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationDaniels M. Executive dysfunction and weak central coherence : neither theory suitably explains a core cognitive deficit in autism spectrum disorders. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 2008 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10396en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Psychologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherPsychologyen_ZA
dc.titleExecutive dysfunction and weak central coherence : neither theory suitably explains a core cognitive deficit in autism spectrum disordersen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMSocScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
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