ADVANCES IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE
Year:2021 | Volume:23 | Issue:3|Papers Count:12

Introduction: Due to the lack of a definitive treatment to improve human cognitive disorders, researchers have focused on providing new approaches to partially improve or prevent the progression of memory and cognition disorders to reduce the patient's dependency on others. The enriched environment (EE) as a non-pharmacological treatment has drawn attention to improving the living conditions of laboratory animals by increasing social, cognitive, and physical stimuli. This review article discusses how EE affects cognitive disorders and the mechanisms underlying it. Methods: The present study was conducted with the aim of reviewing English articles in the field of EE and their effect on memory and cognitive disorders. The keywords Enriched environment and Memory and Cognitive impairment were searched in the titles and abstracts of articles published in reputable international scientific databases. After several stages of removing duplicate and unrelated items, 69 articles were finally studied in this research. Results: Enriched environment can improve memory and cognitive processes by creating a set of sensory, motor, social and cognitive stimuli. This improvement may be due to the EE’ s different effects on the number of neurons, neurons morphology, myelination, synapses and neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors and neuro-inflammation. Conclusion: Considering the role of EE in improving molecular and functional disturbances of the central nervous system in diseases such as depression and stroke, and the potency to reduce the risk of human's dementia; It can be hoped that in the near future, the EE will be used in the treatment of human's neurodegenerative diseases as a suitable and pleasant non-pharmacological therapy.

Introduction: Considering the need to provide valid tools for research and clinical work in Persian, the present study aimed to translate and evaluate the revised version’ s psychometric properties and factor structure of considering the scale of the future consequences. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, 380 people were selected through convenience sampling from the adult population of Kermanshah. The research data were collected through the Regret-Based Decision-Making Style Scale, Monetary Choice Questionnaire, and Consideration of Future Consequences scale and were analyzed using statistical methods of Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation test, and confirmatory factor analysis by SPSS-26, and Mplus-7 software. Results: The findings showed that internal consistency reliability of the future subscale and immediate subscale was 0. 65 and 0. 70, respectively, and their split-half reliability were 0. 68 and 0. 66, respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed the questionnaire's two-factor structure (RMSEA=0. 07, CFI=0. 92, TLI=0. 89). The pattern of correlations between the scores of this questionnaire with the scores of the monetary choice questionnaire and the regret-based decision-making style scale also showed the criterion validity of the questionnaire. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that the Persian version of consideration of future consequences scale has acceptable validity, and reliability and given the relatively short time it takes to be completed, it can be an appropriate tool for employing in both clinical and research situations.

Introduction: In the present study, the efficacy of an educational package was addressed based on increased cognitive, emotional, and neuro-muscular activity in depression in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: In this study with pre-test and post-test design and control group, 30 of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment residing in Kahrizak elderly sanatorium were selected by simple sampling and randomly divided into two experimental groups. And control. Participants’ mini-mental state examination questionnaire, depression, and social isolation completed. A-18 rehabilitation sessions program was performed in over eight weeks and two to three weeks. Data were analyzed with analysis of covariance model. Results: The findings were that the experimental group received cognitive rehabilitation intervention, compared with the control group, based on the mental state examination scores (F=24. 30, P<0. 01) significantly better cognitive function; depression ratings (F=17. 67, P<0. 01) lower depression rates and according to social isolationist attitudes (F=25. 58, P<0. 01) less social isolation. Conclusion: The study results showed that increased cognitive, emotional, and neuromuscular activity is effective in improving cognitive function, reducing depression, and social isolation in mild cognitive impairment. Also, the partial square (effect size) for the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable is 0. 524, which indicates that the independent variable explains 52% of the changes in the dependent variable. In other words, education based on increased cognitive, emotional, and neuromuscular activity has affected 52% of the daily performance of the elderly (MCI). Therefore; this designed training package can probably be designed as software that includes the combined effect of the variables of this research, and more people will be treated with this package.

Introduction: Studies show that bilingualism affects cognitive processes. By studying Azeri Turkish-Persian bilinguals and Persian monolinguals, the present study aimed to examine the evidence of the advantages of bilingualism in spatial perspective-takingability and self-regulation. Azeri Turkish bilinguals and Persian monolinguals participated in this study. Methods: The participants in this study included 39 monolingual and bilingual Persian and Turkish students with a mean age of 29 years. To assess the spatial perspective taking ability, the Hegarty Test was used, in which participants were asked to imagine themselves in multiple spatial positions and determine the angle of position of several objects relative to the imagined position. An unsolvable puzzle designed in Persian was used to measure the ability of self-regulation. This unsolvable puzzle was presented to both groups and the duration of their efforts it was considered as an indicator of self-regulation. A more extended time led to a higher score on the ability to self-regulation. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kendall correlation tests were used to measure the relationships between the variables. Results: There was a significant difference between the self-regulation scores of individuals in both monolingual and bilingual groups; In other words, monolingual individuals had lower self-regulation scores. Also, the relationship between spatial perspective-taking ability and bilingualism was insignificant, although the observed differences in means and scatter between the two groups were significant. There was no significant difference between self-regulation and spatial perspective-taking ability in both monolingual and bilingual groups. Conclusion: The results showed that there is a significant relationship between bilingualism and self-regulation. Although correlation tests were not statistically significant, bilinguals spent an average of less time on the spatial perspective-taking test, indicating a higher average of spatial perspective-taking ability. It is possible that with further investigation, more evidence can be found for the significance of the difference between the two groups.

Introduction: Creating creativity is one of the fundamental goals of any educational system, and one of the variables related to creativity is the excitement of thought. The present study aimed to explain the pattern of creativity based on the excitement of thought mediated by experimental intelligence in high school students. Methods: The method of this descriptive-correlational study and the statistical population of the present study were all male and female high school students (n=1000) in Rasht. Two hundred forty-nine subjects were selected as a sample based on the multi-stage random cluster sampling method. In order to collect data, questionnaires measuring creativity thought excitement and Kohs cubes were used. Data analysis was performed in AMOS-23 software using the structural equation modeling method. Results: The results showed that creativity with all variables has a positive and significant correlation coefficient. Experimental intelligence also has a significant relationship with all thought emotion variables except the emotion variable (P<0. 01). The model analysis results showed that empirical intelligence has a mediating role in the relationship between thought excitement and creativity (P<0. 001). Conclusion: Experimental intelligence partially mediated the relationship between thought emotion and creativity. As a result, students' empirical intelligence can be enhanced by fostering creativity in school, which in turn leads to tremendous thought excitement.

Introduction: The widespread negative impact of anxiety in adolescence, together with the findings that most anxiety disorders first occur in childhood or adolescence, highlights the need for adolescent-centered intervention in this area. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness exercises on the components of positive adolescent development in adolescents with anxiety disorder. Methods: The present study was a semi-experimental research method with a pre-test design, post-test, and control group. The statistical population of the study consists of adolescents aged 9-11 years with an anxiety disorder who have been evaluated by a psychiatrist and referred to a psychologist. Among them, 30 people were selected by the purposive sampling method. They were then randomly divided into experimental and control groups (15 people from each group)., the positive adolescent development questionnaire of Goldoff et al. (2014) and the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (2007) was used to collect information. The experimental group was trained in mindfulness exercises, and the control group was included in the training waiting list. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The results showed that the F-ratio of univariate analysis of covariance for the positive transformation components showed that in all components, there was a significant difference between the training and control groups in the post-test. Therefore, mindfulness exercises have a significant effect on all components of positive change. Conclusion: Due to the effectiveness of mindfulness exercises in the components of positive change, it is suggested that such an educational program be part of the codified treatments of child and adolescent counseling centers and that therapists have sufficient knowledge in this field by holding training workshops.

Introduction: The issue of success and failure in education is one of the essential concerns of any educational system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of dimensions of academic identity, teacher support, academic adjustment, and psychological membership in school in the academic performance of high school students in Larestan. Methods: The present study was a survey and correlational study. The statistical population included all male and female high school students in the second semester of the academic year 2018-2019. The sample of this study included 400 high school students in Larestan who were randomly selected. Questionnaires of academic identity, teacher support, academic adjustment, and psychological membership in school were used to collect data. In this study, conventional correlation and multiple regressions were used to analyze the data. Data were analyzed using SPSS-24 software. Results: The results showed that the linear combination of predictor variables could predict academic performance. Based on the regression analysis results, about 22% of the variance of the academic performance variable can be predicted with the help of predictor variables (dimensions of academic identity, teacher support, academic adjustment, and psychological membership in school). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, paying attention to teacher support, academic adjustment, and psychological schools membership in students' can contain valuable points to improve the educational status and academic performance of students. Therefore, it is necessary that schools and counseling centers, according to the academic performance of students and awareness of the factors affecting it, develop specific, codified, and accurate programs to create a suitable environment for the realization of students' potential talents, provide as much growth and flourishing as possible for them.

Introduction: Stroke accompanied by psychiatric disorder and mental performance is one of the most disabling neurological diseases in adults. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of rTMS on depression and Social adaptation in patients with stroke. Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with an unequal control group. The study population was all stroke patients referred to Tehran Brain and Cognitive Clinic in the first trimester of 2019. Thirty patients were selected using the non-random sampling method, and 15 patients in the experimental group and 15 in the control group were replaced. Beck Depression Inventory, Busque Social Adaptation Self-Assessment Scale, and Repeated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were used to measure the study's variables. Data were analyzed using multivariate covariance with SPSS-21 software. Results: The multivariate analysis of variance findings show that rTMS therapy has reduced and improved the symptoms of depression and Social adaptation in patients with stroke (P<0. 01). Conclusion: It is concluded that unlike drugs with cognitive side effects, rTMS therapy improves cognitive function and ultimately depression based on the findings of this study. Therefore, it is suggested that the research results conducted in this field be used in practice in rehabilitation centers for stroke patients.

Introduction: Patients with multiple sclerosis generally have problems with their cognitive functions. In this study, researchers have identified the cognitive problems of patients based on the information processing model and then designed an appropriate cognitive rehabilitation program for the patients, and investigated the program's effectiveness on the improvement of patients' cognitive abilities. Methods: This research was conducted in three stages through an advanced combined method (quantitative and qualitative). A: The stage of comparing the patients with healthy individuals by a causal-comparative method. B: designing the cognitive rehabilitation protocol according to the results of the first stage, the opinion of psychologists, and applying the Lawshe formula for cognitive rehabilitation protocol according to the first stage results. C: the intervention stage using the quasi-experimental method, in which 103 patients with multiple sclerosis were randomly selected and compared with 86 normal individuals in terms of cognitive functions. The five subtests of the MACIFIMS battery were used to evaluate the patient’ s cognitive abilities. Then a rehabilitation protocol was developed, and finally, its effectiveness on 50 patients was evaluated. Both groups were evaluated in post-test and follow-up stages, and data were analyzed using the ANCOVA method with SPSS-22 software. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of cognitive tests of patients and normal people, and the content validity of the cognitive protocol was equal to 0. 75. Up to 1 was obtained. This significance was maintained in the scores of all averages except verbal long-term memory and visual long-term memory in one-month follow-up. Conclusion: The results show that the designed protocol is effective and a valuable way to increase patients' cognitive abilities.

Introduction: The quantitative study of the multiple-spatial information effect on perceptual decision-making has remained mostly unknown due to the complexity in controlling this information in natural stimuli. This study aims to compute the weights of spatial information of local features and compare their effect quantitatively on face discrimination using a systematically well-controlled task. The importance of this study is to address complex natural stimuli in the context of perceptual decision-making. Methods: We designed a systematically well-controlled multiple-spatial information task (eyes, nose, mouth) in which faces have morphed. The stimuli either had three or one informative spatial information fluctuating in time that combined with a mask. The stimuli were randomly presented in different levels of morph. Participants were instructed to report if the stimuli were more similar to the first prototype or the second one during a free-response task. Results: The positive amplitudes of the psychophysical kernels for each feature indicated that the decisions are made based on the integration of spatial information for both three and one informative feature trial. The averages of psychophysical kernels amplitude in 3-featural trials were significantly different from zero for all features, which showed that the presence of eye information intensified the extraction of information from nose and mouth. Only linear coefficients have a significant effect rather than multiplicative terms relating to the interaction of features. The present study showed that considering each feature's effective weight could extend the perfect accumulator assumption to explain the experimental accuracy for three-informative feature trials. Conclusion: Findings suggest that a modified perfect accumulator can quantitatively explain the mechanism of perceptual decision-making in the presence of natural stimuli. This study provides an extension of perceptual decision-making in the presence of simple stimuli with uniform spatial information.

Introduction: William James (1890) defines the relationship between thinking and habit as follows: thinking is an interruption between habits, and humans are constantly shifting cognitively between thinking and habit. The present study aimed to investigate the cognitive shifting process between habit (habitual decision making) and thinking (consensus decision making) in stock market decision making. Also, the effect of description-experience learning, statistical literacy, and risk tolerance on the cognitive shifting process and decision-making outcome were taken into the study. Methods: Fifty-four participants were randomly allotted to experience learning group (n=30) and description learning group (n=24) and then regularly invested in a simulated stock market for sixty consecutive days. In addition, the level of statistical literacy was measured using a researcher-made questionnaire, and the FinaMetrica was used as a risk tolerance measure. In order to data analysis, multiple change-point detection methods and multivariate analysis of covariance were used in R and SPSS-26 software. Results: The results, therefore, supported the hypothesis cognitive shift process between habitual decision making and conscious decision making. Also, the effects of description-experience learning and risk tolerance on time to stabilization and time of flexibilization cognitive of shifting process and decision-making outcome were supported, while statistical literacy is ineffective in this regard. Conclusion: Description learning and high-level risk tolerance can increase flexibility and improve investment decision-making in the stock market. Stock exchange organizations can prescribe descriptive information analysis and increase risk tolerance as part of users' decision-making strategies.

Introduction: This research aimed to investigate the possible advantage of conceptual blending theory to illustrate hidden aspects of poetic creativity, which is called elaborating device in conceptual metaphor theory. Methods: We collected 54 poems with equal ratios on the basis of a simple random sampling of Simin Behbahani, Fereydon Moshiri, and Forough Farokhzad’ s poetic notebooks. The descriptive-analytic method was used to estimate properties of conceptual blending analysis and extract network models to discuss the metaphorical elaborating and its features that conceptual metaphor theory cannot adequately explain about them. Results: Two micro-models are extracted. In the first model, mental space or a blended space, resulting from a network in a background, reflects some concepts into both input spaces of the other network in the foreground, simultaneously, based on stimulation of similar aspects. In the second model, there are two networks. Some aspects of the first input of the second network have been conceptualized in the first network previously, and the access principle provides a connection between them. By mapping and integrating second network inputs, these aspects connect to more extra information. Integration of the micro-models and the creation of a macro-model is possible. Conclusion: Conceptual blending theory is based on the description of mental spaces integration and process of reflection or connection between networks in which the fundamental structure of generic space is often organized according to a conventional conceptual metaphor, but they can represent some dynamic features, provides sharp illustration about the motivation and manner of metaphorical elaborating.