Speeded paper-pencil sustained attention and mental speed tests: Can performances be discriminated?
Date
2008
Authors
Krumm, S.
Schmidt-Atzert, L.
Michalczyk, K.
Danthiir, V.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Journal of Individual Differences, 2008; 29(4):205-216
Statement of Responsibility
Stefan Krumm, Lothar Schmidt-Atzert, Kurt Michalczyk, and Vanessa Danthiir
Conference Name
Abstract
<jats:p> Mental speed (MS) and sustained attention (SA) are theoretically distinct constructs. However, tests of MS are very similar to SA tests that use time pressure as an impeding condition. The performance in such tasks largely relies on the participants’ speed of task processing (i.e., how quickly and correctly one can perform the simple cognitive tasks). The present study examined whether SA and MS are empirically the same or different constructs. To this end, 24 paper-pencil and computerized tests were administered to 199 students. SA turned out to be highly related to MS task classes: substitution and perceptual speed. Furthermore, SA showed a very close relationship with the paper-pencil MS factor. The correlation between SA and computerized speed was considerably lower but still high. In a higher-order general speed factor model, SA had the highest loading on the higher-order factor; the higher-order factor explained 88% of SA variance. It is argued that SA (as operationalized with tests using time pressure as an impeding condition) and MS cannot be differentiated, at the level of broad constructs. Implications for neuropsychological assessment and future research are discussed. </jats:p>