MindHub Pub #2: The Science Behind Interactive Metronome: An Integration of Brain Clock, Temporal Processing, Brain Network and Neurocognitive Research and Theory

[This is an "oldie but goodie" (OBG) post that was originally posted on March 5, 2013]

The second MindHub Pub working paper is now available:  The Science Behind Interactive Metronome:  An Integration of Brain Clock, Temporal Processing, Brain Network and Neurocognitive Research and Theory.  The PDF document can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here.

This working paper is an integration of research and theory that attempts to explain the science behind the positive outcomes of the Interactive Metronome rehabilitative and brain training neurotechnology (the IM effect).  A three-level explanatory model involving three different levels of brain and neurocognitive constructs (McGrew, 2012) is described.   The three-levels are presented in the visual summary in the figure below.  Although the text focuses on explaining the IM effect on cognitive functions (focus, controlled attention, working memory, executive functions), the three-level hypothesized model should be considered a general explanatory framework for understanding the positive IM effect in other human performance domains as well (e.g., recovery from stroke; gait; motor coordination).

The three-level model described here can also be viewed as an IM-free integration of research and theory that explains the relations between the temporal processing (temporal g) of the human brain clock (s), brain regions and networks, brain network communication and synchronization (the parietal-frontal integration theory of intelligence [P-FIT] in particular), and the neurocognitive constructs of attentional control (focus), working memory, and executive functioning.

[Click on image to enlarge]

Temporal g and the temporal resolution power hypothesis (TRP): An OGB pst

[Double click on image to enlarge]

[This is an OBG post (oldie but goodie post) that was first posted June 29, 2009]

Temporal g...or...the temporal resolution power hypothesis (TRP). Lets hear it for the IQ Brain Clock!

I've previously blogged, with considerable excitement, about recent research that has suggested that the temporal resolution of one's internal "brain clock" may be more closely associated with intelligence scholars search for the neural underpinnings of general intelligence (g). Traditionally, and overwhelmingly, intelligence scholars have studied and focused on mental reaction time, largely based on the seminal work of Arthur Jensen. Then, along came recent research led primarily by mental timing scholar Rammsayer and colleagues...research that suggested that temporal g (vs. reaction time g) may be more important in attempts to identify the underlying mechanism of neural efficiency.. the focus of the search for the "holy grail" of general intelligence for decades.

The following just published journal article continues to add to the evidence that temporal processing, temporal g, and/or temporal resolution, may be critically important in understanding human intellectual performance. Below is the article reference, abstract, and my paraphrased comments from a reading of the article.

• Troche, S. & Rammsayer, T. (2009). Temporal and non-temporal sensory discrimination and their predictions of capacity-and speed-related aspects of psychometric intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences,47, 52–57

Abstract

The temporal resolution power hypothesis explains individual differences in psychometric intelligence in terms of temporal acuity of the brain. This approach was supported by high correlations between temporal discrimination and psychometric intelligence. Psychometric intelligence, however, was frequently found to be related to non-temporal discrimination (e.g., frequency, intensity, brightness discrimination). The present study investigated 100 female and 100 male participants with the aim to elucidate the functional relations between psychometric intelligence and temporal and non-temporal discrimination ability. Supporting the assumption of dissociable mechanisms, non-temporal discrimination predicted directly capacity – but not speed-related aspects of psychometric intelligence whereas temporal discrimination predicted both aspects. A substantial correlation between temporal and non-temporal discrimination suggested that general discrimination ability might account for the relations of psychometric intelligence to temporal and non-temporal discrimination abilities. Findings point to an internal structure of general discrimination ability with some dimensions of discrimination more predictive to certain aspects of psychometric intelligence than others.

Introduction/background summary

The neural efficiency hypothesis, based on Jensen's model of neuronal oscillations, has stood front and center as the defacto explanation of individual differences in processing speed and psychometric intelligence. This model suggestes that individuals differ in the rate of rate of oscillation between refractory and excitatory states of neurons. The efficiency of oscillation rate, in turn, determines the speed/efficiency of transmission of neurally encoded information. The bottom line is that individuals with higher neural oscillate rates are believed to process information more efficiently, which leads to better intellectual performance.

In contrast, according to the articles authors, the more recent "temporal resolution power (TRP) hypothesis also refers to a hypothetical oscillatory process in the brain to account for the relationship between efficiency and speed of information processing as well as psychometric intelligence (Rammsayer & Brandler, 2002, 2007). According to this view, higher neural temporal resolution leads to faster information processing and to better coordination of mental operations resulting in better performance on intelligence tests. Rammsayer and Brandler (2002) proposed that psychophysical timing tasks, assessing temporal sensitivity and timing accuracy, are the most direct behavioral measures of TRP. The TRP hypothesis has been supported by subsequent studies which found substantial correlations between psychometric intelligence and timing performance (Helmbold, Troche, & Rammsayer, 2006, 2007; Rammsayer & Brandler, 2007)." Most of these studies have been described previously at the IQ Brain Clock blog under the label temporal g.

An important issue for the TRP hypothesis to address is the fact that the most frequently used mental timing tasks also imply some form of simple sensory discrimination (together with the timing component). In order for the TRP hypothesis to have merit, the model must address (explain) the established relation between sensory discrimination and psychometric (tested) intelligence not only for the temporal domain but also for other non-temporal sensory dimensions. As summarized by the author, "associations with psychometric intelligence were shown for color (r = .08 to r = .32; Acton & Schroeder, 2001), pitch (r = .42 to r = .54; Raz, Willerman, & Yama, 1987), or texture and shape in the tactile modality (r = .08 to r = .29; Stankov, Seizova-Cajic´, & Roberts, 2001)."

Purpose of study

The purpose of the current study was to disentangle the relations between temporal processing and sensory discrimination via the evaluation and testing of two different structural models. As described by the authors, "the first model expanded the investigation of Helmbold et al. (2006) to the level of latent variables by factorizing various non-temporal and temporal discrimination tasks. It is assumed that temporal and non-temporal discrimination abilities predict psychometric intelligence as two disocciable factors which, however, can be related to each other. The TRP hypothesis postulates that TRP affects both capacity- and speed-related aspects of psychometric intelligence (Helmbold & Rammsayer, 2006)."

Alternatively "Model 2 proceeds from Spearman’s (1904) assumption that a general discrimination ability predicts psychometric intelligence. In accordance with this view, temporal discrimination constitutes a factor indicsociable from non-temporal discrimination. In other words, temporal and non-temporal discrimination tasks build a common factor referred to as GDA."

Method summary

The subjects were 100 male and 100 female volunteers (18 to 30 years of age; mean ± SD = 22.2 ± 3.3 years). The sample comprised 93 university students, 89 vocational school students and apprentices, while the remaining participants were working individuals of different professions. All participants reported normal hearing and normal or corrected-to-normal sight. The authors employed structural equation modeling (SEM) methods to evaluate and compare the two models.

Capacity and speed components of psychometric IQ (g) were measured with 12 subtests of the Berlin model of intelligence structure (BIS) test (Jäger, Süß, & Beauducel, 1997). Four temporal (temporal generalization, duration, temporal-order judgment, rhythm perception) and three non-temporal sensory discrimination tasks (pitch discrimination, intensity discrimination, rightness discrimination) were used to operationally define temporal processing and sensory discrimination, respectively.


Conclusions/discussion summary (emphasis added by blogmaster)

Evaluation and comparison of the two models suggested the following conclusions (as per the authors)

• The relation between non-temporal discrimination and speed was completely mediated by temporal discrimination. The association between temporal discrimination and capacity was twofold. There was a weak but reliable direct association as well as a stronger indirect relation mediated by non-temporal discrimination.

• Although Model 1 revealed a high correlation between temporal and non-temporal discrimination, the different relations of temporal and non-temporal discrimination to speed and capacity suggest that the two factors are disocciable. Our finding of a strong correlational link between temporal discrimination ability and psychometric intelligence is in line with the outcome of previous studies investigating the TRP hypothesis...according to this account, higher TRP entails increased speed and efficiency of information processing resulting in higher scores on both speed- and capacity-related intelligence tests. Thus, our finding that Model 1 fitted the data well is in line with the TRP hypothesis.

• The present results corroborate Helmbold and Rammsayer’s (2006) finding of a stronger relationship between temporal discrimination ability and capacity compared to speed. On the contrary, shared variance with non-temporal discrimination accounted for the association between capacity and temporal discrimination whereas the direct link between temporal discrimination and capacity was rather weak. Thus, the strong relation between TRP and psychometric intelligence is probably due to the fact that TRP, when measured as a factor derived from temporal discrimination tasks, taps both temporal and unspecific discrimination abilities. From this perspective, time-related aspects of TRP may account for the association to speed whereas rather unspecific discrimination-related aspects mainly account for the association with capacity.

• The more parsimonious Model 2 should be preferred over Model 1. Model 2 suggests that temporal and non-temporal discrimination tasks constitute a common factor of unspecific, general discrimination performance referred to as GDA. The close association between this factor and psychometric intelligence is supported by the outcome of previous studies.

• The finding, that both temporal and non-temporal discrimination share a common source, supports the notion that general discrimination ability is somehow associated with higher-order mental ability.

• The finding of a close association between GDA and psychometric intelligence suggests, that already at a very early sensory stage of information processing, higher neural efficiency can be observed as a correlate of psychometric intelligence

• The high correlations between GDA and speed- as well as capacity-related aspects of psychometric intelligence, as revealed by Model 2, emphasize the importance of sensory performance as a correlate of higher-order mental ability. Nevertheless, differential relations between temporal and non-temporal discrimination and aspects of psychometric intelligence, as suggested by Model 1, may help to elucidate the internal structure of GDA. This is, certain sensory processes appear to be more predictive for certain aspects of psychometric intelligence than others. Such a conclusion is in line with the results of Stankov et al. (2001) who reported differential relations between cognitive abilities and aspects of tactile and kinesthetic perceptual processing. In the face of the available data, mapping of differential relationships between distinct sensory performances and components of psychometric intelligence represent a promising strategy to further explore the significance of sensory processes for human mental abilities.

Bottom line: This study continues to support the importance of temporal g, temporal processing, or the TRP hypothesis in explaining neural efficiency, which in turn is believed to play a major role in facilitating better (higher) intellectual performance. Understanding the intenral IQ Brain Clock, and interventions/treatements that may help "fine tune" the brain clock (increase its timing resolution), appears an important avenue to pursue both for theoretical and applied (cognitive enhancement interventions) research. To pat myself on the back, I've previously summarized the potential link between increased resolution of the brain clock and higher cognitive functioning in prior professional presentations (click here to visit a SlideShare PPT show)

Technorati Tags: psychology, education, educational psychology, school psychology, neuroscience, neuropsychology, neurotechnology, Arthur Jensen, g, general intelligence, psychometric intelligence, temporal processing, temporal g, temporal resolution hypothesis, brain clock, IQ Brain Clock, sensory discrimination

Neural efficiency and general intelligence: Is it mental quickness or timing?

Today I made a post at IM-HOME discussing the neural efficiency = general intelligence hypothesis (Arthur Jensen) where I make the case that recent research suggests that temporal or timing g (the internal brain clock) is a more fundamental cause of neural efficiency than the dominant Jensen reaction time g hypothesis. Check it out.

- Posted using BlogPress from Kevin McGrew's iPad

Technorati Tags: intelligence,IQ tests,IQ testing,IQ scores,CHC intelligence theory,CHC theory,Cattell-Horn-Carroll,human cognitive abilities,psychology,school psychology,individual differences,cognitive psychology,neuropsychology,neuroscience psychology,special education,educational psychology,psychometrics,psychological assessment,psychological measurement,IQs Corner,general intelligence,intelligence,IQ,Gs,Gt,brain clock,temporal g,reaction time,Arthur Jensen,neural efficiency

Temporal g v reaction time g: Rammsayer et al temporal g research references

Those who have been following the Brain Clock blog since its inception, know that the work of Thomas Rammsayer and colleagues is one of the major reasons I started this project.  I feel strongly that their identificaiton of temporal g, versue classic Jenson reaction time g, is a major foundation supporting the importance of the internal brain clock in intellectual functioning.  So, I decided I should post some of the major references of this group.  Enjoy.

Haldemann, J., Stauffer, C., Troche, S., & Rammsayer, T. (2012). Performance on auditory and visual temporal information processing is related to psychometric intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 52(1), 9-14.

Rammsayer, T. H., & Troche, S. J. (2010). Effects of age and the relationship between response time measures and psychometric intelligence in younger adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(1), 49-53.

Rammsayer, T. H. (2010). Differences in duration discrimination of filled and empty auditory intervals as a function of base duration. Attention Perception & Psychophysics, 72(6), 1591-1600.

Rammsayer, T., & Troche, S. (2010). Sex differences in the processing of temporal information in the sub-second range. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(8), 923-927.

Rammsayer, T. H., & Brandler, S. (2007). Performance on temporal information processing as an index of general intelligence. Intelligence, 35(2), 123-139.

Helmbold, N., Troche, S., & Rammsayer, T. (2007). Processing of temporal and nontemporal information as predictors of psychometric intelligence: A structural-equation-modeling approach. Journal of Personality, 75(5), 985-1006.

Ulrich, R., Nitschke, J., & Rammsayer, T. (2006). Crossmodal temporal discrimination: Assessing the predictions of a general pacemaker-counter model. Perception & Psychophysics, 68(7), 1140-1152.

Rammsayer, T., & Altenmuller, E. (2006). Temporal information processing in musicians and nonmusicians. Music Perception, 24(1), 37-47.

Helmbold, N., Troche, S., & Rammsayer, T. (2006). Temporal information processing and pitch discrimination as predictors of general intelligence. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology   Revue Canadienne De Psychologie Experimentale, 60(4), 294-306.

Brandler, S., & Rammsayer, T. H. (2003). Differences in mental abilities between musicians and non-musicians. Psychology of Music, 31(2), 123-138.

Rammsayer, T. H., & Brandler, S. (2002). On the relationship between general fulid intelligence and psychophysical indicators of temporal resolution in the brain. Journal of Research in Personality, 36, 507-530.

Rammsayer, T. H. (2002). Temporal information processing and basic dimensions of personality: differential effects of psychoticism.  Personality and Individual Differences, 32, 827-838, 32, 827-838.

Volz, H.-P., Nenadic, I., Gaser, C., Rammsayer, T., Häger, F., & Sauer, H. (2001). Time estimation in schizophrenia: A fMRI study at adjusted levels of difficulty. NeuroReport, 12, 313-316.

Rammsayer, T., & Ulrich, R. (2001). Counting models of temporal discrimination. Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, 8(2), 270-277.

Rammsayer, T., Hennig, J., Haag, A., & Lange, N. (2001). Effects of noradrenergic activity on temporal information processing in humans. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, Section B: Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 54B, 247-258.

Rammsayer, T. (2001). Ageing and temporal processing of durations within the psychological present.  European Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 13, 549-565.

Mad Box reaction time app: Possible brain fitness tool?

An interesting reaction time app for the iPhone/iPad. It has the appearance of a possible brain fitness tool......would be nice someone would do some research on this to see if it does improve any aspects of cognitive functioning

Double click on image to enlarge. Visit link about to visit developers website




- iPost using BlogPress from Kevin McGrew's iPad

Temporal g = g: Back to the future

The first post I ever made to the IQ Brain Clock block was to feature a post I had made at my sister blog (IQs Corner) regarding my excitement over the possibility of a temporal g factor......and that this factor may reflect the presence of the construct of an internal brain clock...and, more importantly, this temporal g paradigm may get closer to measuring the essence of general intelligence (g) than the long-standing king of g-essence hunters...reaction time.  This research was generated by the Rammsayer research group.

Since then I've made numerous posts regarding temporal g.  IMHO the best research regarding the temporal g = g hypothesis has been published by the Rammsayer group.  Click here and here to view the two key research articles I've featured.   Today I discovered one of their earlier studies....a study that led to the two key research articles noted above.  The article, written by Helmbold, Troche and Rammsayer (Temporal Information Processing and Pitch Discrimination as Predictors of General Intelligence) was published in 2006 in the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology

Below is the abstract (emphasis added by the IQ Brain Clock Time Doc)

• Abstract: In the present study, the relationship between performance on temporal and pitch discrimination and psychometric intelligence was investigated in a sample of 164 participants by means of an experimental dissociation paradigm. Performance on both temporal and pitch discrimination was substantially related to psychometric intelligence (r = .43 and r =.39). Regression analysis and structural equation modeling suggested that both psychophysical domains can be considered as valid predictors of psychometric intelligence. Both predictor variables contributed substantial portions of both shared and unique variance to the prediction of individual differences in psychometric intelligence. Thus, the present study yielded further evidence for a functional relationship between psychometric intelligence and temporal as well as pitch discrimination acuity. Eventually, findings are consistent with the notion that temporal discrimination – in addition to general aspects of sensory discrimination shared with pitch discrimination – reflects specific intelligence-related aspects of neural information processing.

Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, brain clock, IQ Brain Clock, psychometrics, general intelligence, g, Gt, temporal g, mental time-keeping

Book review. Jensen's Clocking the Mind

The first available review that I've seen of Arthur Jensen's recent book, Clocking the Mind, has just been posted at the Developing Intelligence blog. Take a peak. I do know that formal journal published reviews of this work are in the works (click here).

Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, intelligence, IQ test, IQ scores, IQ, cognitive, cognition, g, general intelligence, Aruther Jensen, book review

powered by performancing firefox

Temporal "g" added to "key research articles"

I just added Rammsayer and Brandler's (in press; Intelligence) "Temporal g" article to the "Key Research Articles" section of this blog. That now makes three key mental or interval time-keeping articles listed as "key" to understanding this domain.

Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, neuropsychology, neuroscience, mental time keeping, interval timing, temporal g, g, general intelligence, time perception, IQ, IQ scores, IQ testing, intelligence, cognition, cognitive

powered by performancing firefox

Temporal g: General intelligence (g) = internal mental time keeper?

Check out a rather lenghty post I made at IQs Corner re: a recent study suggesting that temporal processing (a master internal interval timing clock) may be a major explanatory basis for the concept of g (general intelligence). It was this post that got me started on the idea of a separate blog devoted to brain-based mental time-keeping.

Technorati Tags: psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, interactive metronome, temporal processing, g, general intelligence, intelligence, IQ, reaction time, interval timing, psychology of time, brain timing, cognition, cognitive, neuroscience, neuropsychology

powered by performancing firefox