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Meier MA, Gross F, Vogel SE, Grabner RH. Mathematical expertise: the role of domain-specific knowledge for memory and creativity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12500. [PMID: 37532807 PMCID: PMC10397219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39309-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In contrast to traditional expertise domains like chess and music, very little is known about the cognitive mechanisms in broader, more education-oriented domains like mathematics. This is particularly true for the role of mathematical experts' knowledge for domain-specific information processing in memory as well as for domain-specific and domain-general creativity. In the present work, we compared 115 experts in mathematics with 109 gender, age, and educational level matched novices in their performance in (a) a newly developed mathematical memory task requiring encoding and recall of structured and unstructured information and (b) tasks drawing either on mathematical or on domain-general creativity. Consistent with other expertise domains, experts in mathematics (compared to novices) showed superior short-term memory capacity for complex domain-specific material when presented in a structured, meaningful way. Further, experts exhibited higher mathematical creativity than novices, but did not differ from them in their domain-general creativity. Both lines of findings demonstrate the importance of experts' knowledge base in processing domain-specific material and provide new insights into the characteristics of mathematical expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Franz Gross
- University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Stephan E Vogel
- University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
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2
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Forster A, Rodrigues J, Ziebell P, Sanguinetti JL, Allen JJB, Hewig J. Transcranial focused ultrasound modulates the emergence of learned helplessness via midline theta modification. J Affect Disord 2023; 329:273-284. [PMID: 36842652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helplessness and hopelessness are states closely related to depressive disorders. They ensue following the anticipated absence of valid behavioral options to alleviate an aversive state. One neural structure involved in the detection of such options, is the cingulate cortex (CC), which conveys the evaluation of behavior against the value of its outcome. Accordingly, CC-related EEG measures are thought to correlate to feedback evaluation but also to anxious and conflict-related states, signaling the need for further adaptation to current requirements. Against this background, this study investigated the role of CC functioning in the emergence and prevention of helpless/hopeless states by applying low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (litFUS) neuromodulation prior to a learned helplessness task. METHOD In a randomized controlled double blind experimental setup with 55 participants, litFUS was used to inhibit the right lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC), a region closely connected to CC modulation. Participants were instructed to play 8 games of chess against a computer that was unbeatable to them, while an EEG was recorded. Theta oscillation in midline electrodes, playing performance and self-rate measures on cognitive, affective and physiological parameters were assessed. RESULTS The results show a considerable influence of litFUS neuromodulation of the lPFC on midline theta activity (Fz and Pz electrode position) which in turn correlated to several psychological variables including self-report data on emotion, cognition, and arousal as well as behavioral measures (playing performance). LIMITATIONS Due to the small sample size and sample characteristics, results cannot be generalized to the field of clinical application. A replication of results in larger samples and in context of other sonication parameters is needed to increase the robustness of results and to maximize the efficacy of litFUS application. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the development of learned helplessness/hopelessness could be positively influenced in its course by litFUS neuromodulation of the right lPFC. In line with previous results, especially the posterior midline electrode Pz seems to be an interesting target for further research in this field as theta activity at this electrode is correlated to control perception and motivated behavior. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use neuromodulation to monitor and manipulate the development of helplessness in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Forster
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Marcusstraße 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Johannes Rodrigues
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Marcusstraße 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Philipp Ziebell
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Marcusstraße 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
| | | | | | - Johannes Hewig
- Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Marcusstraße 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.
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3
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Lin YH. Life cycle patterns of professional performance from Go world champions. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 76:128-130. [PMID: 35023593 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsuan Lin
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Health Behaviors and Community Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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4
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Gao Q, Feng Y, Chen W, Ping X. Does perceived chess skills mediate the relationship between fluid intelligence and academic performance? JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY IN AFRICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2020.1871220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiyang Gao
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, People’s Republic of China
- School of Teacher Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yayi Feng
- School of Teacher Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, People’s Republic of China
- School of Teacher Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xianjie Ping
- Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, People’s Republic of China
- School of Teacher Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, People’s Republic of China
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Premi E, Gazzina S, Diano M, Girelli A, Calhoun VD, Iraji A, Gong Q, Li K, Cauda F, Gasparotti R, Padovani A, Borroni B, Magoni M. Enhanced dynamic functional connectivity (whole-brain chronnectome) in chess experts. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7051. [PMID: 32341444 PMCID: PMC7184623 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63984-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidisciplinary approaches have demonstrated that the brain is potentially modulated by the long-term acquisition and practice of specific skills. Chess playing can be considered a paradigm for shaping brain function, with complex interactions among brain networks possibly enhancing cognitive processing. Dynamic network analysis based on resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) can be useful to explore the effect of chess playing on whole-brain fluidity/dynamism (the chronnectome). Dynamic connectivity parameters of 18 professional chess players and 20 beginner chess players were evaluated applying spatial independent component analysis (sICA), sliding-time window correlation, and meta-state approaches to rs-fMRI data. Four indexes of meta-state dynamic fluidity were studied: i) the number of distinct meta-states a subject pass through, ii) the number of switches from one meta-state to another, iii) the span of the realized meta-states (the largest distance between two meta-states that subjects occupied), and iv) the total distance travelled in the state space. Professional chess players exhibited an increased dynamic fluidity, expressed as a higher number of occupied meta-states (meta-state numbers, 75.8 ± 7.9 vs 68.8 ± 12.0, p = 0.043 FDR-corrected) and changes from one meta-state to another (meta-state changes, 77.1 ± 7.3 vs 71.2 ± 11.0, p = 0.043 FDR-corrected) than beginner chess players. Furthermore, professional chess players exhibited an increased dynamic range, with increased traveling between successive meta-states (meta-state total distance, 131.7 ± 17.8 vs 108.7 ± 19.7, p = 0.0004 FDR-corrected). Chess playing may induce changes in brain activity through the modulation of the chronnectome. Future studies are warranted to evaluate if these potential effects lead to enhanced cognitive processing and if “gaming” might be used as a treatment in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Premi
- Stroke Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Stefano Gazzina
- Neurophysiology Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Diano
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Vince D Calhoun
- Tri-institutional center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Armin Iraji
- Tri-institutional center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center, Section of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Kaiming Li
- Huaxi MR Research Center, Section of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Franco Cauda
- GCS fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Gasparotti
- Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Medical-Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Centre for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mauro Magoni
- Stroke Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy
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Abstract
Researchers interested in changes that occur as people age are faced with a number of methodological problems, starting with the immense time scale they are trying to capture, which renders laboratory experiments useless and longitudinal studies rather rare. Fortunately, some people take part in particular activities and pastimes throughout their lives, and often these activities are systematically recorded. In this study, we use the wealth of data collected by the National Basketball Association to describe the aging curves of elite basketball players. We have developed a new approach rooted in the Bayesian tradition in order to understand the factors behind the development and deterioration of a complex motor skill. The new model uses Bayesian structural modeling to extract two latent factors, those of development and aging. The interaction of these factors provides insight into the rates of development and deterioration of skill over the course of a player's life. We show, for example, that elite athletes have different levels of decline in the later stages of their career, which is dependent on their skill acquisition phase. The model goes beyond description of the aging function, in that it can accommodate the aging curves of subgroups (e.g., different positions played in the game), as well as other relevant factors (e.g., the number of minutes on court per game) that might play a role in skill changes. The flexibility and general nature of the new model make it a perfect candidate for use across different domains in lifespan psychology.
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The joint influence of intelligence and practice on skill development throughout the life span. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:18363-18369. [PMID: 31451633 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1819086116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The relative importance of different factors in the development of human skills has been extensively discussed. Research on expertise indicates that focused practice may be the sole determinant of skill, while intelligence researchers underline the relative importance of abilities at even the highest level of skill. There is indeed a large body of research that acknowledges the role of both factors in skill development and retention. It is, however, unknown how intelligence and practice come together to enable the acquisition and retention of complex skills across the life span. Instead of focusing on the 2 factors, intelligence and practice, in isolation, here we look at their interplay throughout development. In a longitudinal study that tracked chess players throughout their careers, we show that both intelligence and practice positively affect the acquisition and retention of chess skill. Importantly, the nonlinear interaction between the 2 factors revealed that more intelligent individuals benefited more from practice. With the same amount of practice, they acquired chess skill more quickly than less intelligent players, reached a higher peak performance, and arrested decline in older age. Our research demonstrates the futility of scrutinizing the relative importance of highly intertwined factors in human development.
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Bilalić M, Graf M, Vaci N, Danek AH. When the Solution Is on the Doorstep: Better Solving Performance, but Diminished Aha! Experience for Chess Experts on the Mutilated Checkerboard Problem. Cogn Sci 2019; 43:e12771. [PMID: 31446653 DOI: 10.1111/cogs.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Insight problems are difficult because the initially activated knowledge hinders successful solving. The crucial information needed for a solution is often so far removed that gaining access to it through restructuring leads to the subjective experience of "Aha!". Although this assumption is shared by most insight theories, there is little empirical evidence for the connection between the necessity of restructuring an incorrect problem representation and the Aha! experience. Here, we demonstrate a rare case where previous knowledge facilitates the solving of insight problems but reduces the accompanying Aha! experience. Chess players were more successful than non-chess players at solving the mutilated checkerboard insight problem, which requires retrieval of chess-related information about the color of the squares. Their success came at a price, since they reported a diminished Aha! experience compared to controls. Chess players' problem-solving ability was confined to that particular problem, since they struggled to a similar degree to non-chess players to solve another insight problem (the eight-coin problem), which does not require chess-related information for a solution. Here, chess players and non-chess players experienced the same degree of insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merim Bilalić
- Department of Psychology, University of Northumbria at Newcastle
| | - Mario Graf
- Institute of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt
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Burgoyne AP, Nye CD, Macnamara BN, Charness N, Hambrick DZ. The Impact of Domain-Specific Experience on Chess Skill: Reanalysis of a Key Study. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.5406/amerjpsyc.132.1.0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
How important are training and other forms of domain-relevant experience in predicting individual differences in expertise? To answer this question, we used structural equation modeling to reanalyze data from a study of chess by Charness, Tuffiash, Krampe, Reingold, and Vasyukova (2005). Latent variables reflecting serious chess activity and formal instruction, along with a manifest variable indexing serious starting age, accounted for 63% of the variance in peak rating. Serious starting age had a significant negative effect on peak rating (β = –.15), even after we controlled for domain-specific experience, indicating an advantage for starting earlier. We also tested the prediction that formal instruction increases the effectiveness of serious study (Ericsson & Charness, 1994) using moderated regression. This claim was not supported. Overall, the results affirm that serious study and other forms of domain-specific experience are important pieces of the expertise puzzle, but other factors must matter too.
Supplemental materials are available at https://www.press.uillinois.edu/journals/ajp/media/chess_skill
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Landfried G, Fernández Slezak D, Mocskos E. Faithfulness-boost effect: Loyal teammate selection correlates with skill acquisition improvement in online games. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211014. [PMID: 30835750 PMCID: PMC6400383 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The problem of skill acquisition is ubiquitous and fundamental to life. Most tasks in modern society involve the cooperation with other subjects. Notwithstanding its fundamental importance, teammate selection is commonly overlooked when studying learning. We exploit the virtually infinite repository of human behavior available in Internet to study a relevant topic in anthropological science: how grouping strategies may affect learning. We analyze the impact of team play strategies in skill acquisition using a turn-based game where players can participate individually or in teams. We unveil a subtle but strong effect in skill acquisition based on the way teams are formed and maintained during time. "Faithfulness-boost effect" provides a skill boost during the first games that would only be acquired after thousands of games. The tendency to play games in teams is associated with a long-run skill improvement while playing loyally with the same teammate significantly accelerates short-run skill acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Landfried
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Computación, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación (ICC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego Fernández Slezak
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Computación, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Computación (ICC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (DFS); (EM)
| | - Esteban Mocskos
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Computación, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET, Centro de Simulación Computacional p/Aplic Tecnológicas (CSC), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (DFS); (EM)
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Abstract
Stereotype threat has been offered as a potential explanation of differential performance between men and women in some cognitive domains. Questions remain about the reliability and generality of the phenomenon. Previous studies have found that stereotype threat is activated in female chess players when they are matched against male players. I used data from over 5.5 million games of international tournament chess and found no evidence of a stereotype-threat effect. In fact, female players outperform expectations when playing men. Further analysis showed no influence of degree of challenge, player age, nor prevalence of female role models in national chess leagues on differences in performance when women play men versus when they play women. Though this analysis contradicts one specific mechanism of influence of gender stereotypes, the persistent differences between male and female players suggest that systematic factors do exist and remain to be uncovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Stafford
- Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield
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