Full Answer
What is cognitive flexibility, and why does it matter?
Significance of cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to appropriately adjust one’s behavior according to a changing environment [1, 2](See Glossary).Cognitive flexibility enables an individual to work efficiently to disengage from a previous task, reconfigure a new response set, and implement this new response set to the task at hand.
What does cognitive flexibility mean?
Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to switch between thinking about two different concepts or to think about multiple concepts simultaneously. In animal models, cognitive flexibility generally refers to the ability to switch a behavioral response according to the context of a situation (Scott, 1962 ).
Does exercise improve cognitive performance?
Results showed that exercise training increased cognitive performance by half a standard deviation (which is considered to be a moderate effect) when compared to the pretest and the control group . Further, the most robust behavioral change following the intervention was observed for tasks requiring greater amounts of cognitive control compared to other cognitive tasks requiring smaller amounts of cognitive control.
How to develop emotional flexibility?
Tips to Build Resilience and Emotional Flexibility
- Keep good company. Surround yourself with other resilient people – whether it’s for fun or when you need support. ...
- Cultivate self-awareness. A large part of being resilient is simply understanding yourself. ...
- Know you don’t have to have all the answers. ...
- Take care of yourself. ...
- Get out of your head. ...
What is an example of cognitive flexibility?
Being able to switch your way of thinking, change your mind, or simultaneously think of multiple concepts at once are examples of cognitive flexibility.
How do you explain cognitive flexibility?
Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adapt our behaviour and thinking in response to the environment. When children are asked to think about multiple concepts simultaneously or change their approach to solving a problem, they need to demonstrate flexible thinking.
What causes cognitive flexibility?
Research has suggested that cognitive flexibility is related to other cognitive abilities, such as fluid intelligence, reading fluency, and reading comprehension. Fluid intelligence, described as the ability to solve problems in new situations, enables fluid reasoning ability.
Is cognitive flexibility good?
Cognitive flexibility is important both on a micro and a macro scale in the workplace. It allows you to juggle multiple concepts at once and improve your cognitive function. You use cognitive flexibility without realizing it on a daily basis. This happens when you multitask or when you switch from task to task.
How can I improve my cognitive flexibility?
7 Ways to Develop Cognitive Flexibility. ... Alter your everyday routine. ... Seek out new experiences. ... Practice thinking creatively. ... Don't always take the easy way. ... Go out of your way to meet new people. ... Transfer your learning. ... Challenge your morals.
What is a lack of cognitive flexibility?
Cognitive flexibility declines with age and often results in an inability to adapt to new situations and environments. The Wisconsin card sorting task, which requires individuals to adapt to new rules, shows that normal aging decreases cognitive flexibility in humans (Boone et al., 1993).
Can cognitive flexibility be trained?
Cognitive flexibility is part of our nature, but it can also be learned. More importantly, it can also be taught to students who are very rigid in their thinking and in their views of the world.
Is cognitive flexibility related to intelligence?
Cognitive flexibility reflects the ability to switch quickly between tasks or stimulus sets, which is an important feature of human intelligence. Researchers have confirmed that this ability is related to the learners' academic achievement, cognitive ability, and creativity development.
Are people with ADHD flexible?
Research has shown that kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often have more difficulty with so-called cognitive flexibility than their peers without the disorder.
Is cognitive ability the same as IQ?
Originally called IQ tests (for Intelligence Quotient because the measures were constructed as the ratio of mental age to chronological age multiplied by 100) that name has fallen out of favor. Instead, such tests are now often referred to as tests of cognitive ability.
Is cognitive flexibility a soft skill?
The World Economic Forum also stated that one of the top ten soft skills needed for the future workplace is 'Cognitive Flexibility.
Why do some problems require cognitive flexibility?
Being cognitive flexible allows you to analyze a situation and come up with alternative plans to meet your goals; or requirements. It's important to possess this skill so you don't end up frozen in a situation where you can't move forward to your next task.
How do you describe your cognitive skills?
Cognitive skills are the core skills your brain uses to think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention. Working together, they take incoming information and move it into the bank of knowledge you use every day at school, at work, and in life.
How would you describe your flexibility skills?
What Is Flexibility? Flexibility is the capacity to adjust to short-term change quickly and calmly, so that you can deal with unexpected problems or tasks effectively.
Why is cognitive flexibility important in math?
Here it is assumed that cognitive flexibility is needed in mathematical performance to support the switch between different operations like, for instance, the switch between addition and subtraction. It has also been assumed that flexibility is needed to switch between different strategies, for example, to switch between retrieval, decomposition, or transformation strategies in arithmetic problem solving (e.g., Bull & Lee, 2014; Bull & Scerif, 2001; Toll, Van der Ven, Kroesbergen, & Van Luit, 2011 ). For a more specific view on the role of flexibility in switching between strategies on consecutive trials, we refer the interested reader to Chapter 7.
What is shifting ability?
Shifting, or cognitive flexibility, is described as the ability to refocus attention to relevant stimuli (Diamond, 2006) and also simultaneously consider conflicting representations of information in order to execute goal-directed behavior (Jacques & Zelazo, 2005 ). Cognitive inflexibility is thought to manifest as perseveration on a prepotent response, which demonstrates an individual's difficulty or inability to shift to new representations ( Zelazo et al., 2003 ). Young children show perseveration on shifting tasks by making consistent errors and showing difficulty in inhibiting a prepotent response ( Zelazo et al., 2003). Inflexibility is most consistently observed in TD children under 3, with increases in shifting abilities occurring between 3 and 5 years. Perseveration is observed in individuals with a variety of disorders associated with deficits in frontal lobe functioning, such as traumatic brain injury and autism (Zelazo et al., 2003 ). Because cognitive flexibility is a complex EF skill and closely related to working memory and inhibition ( Garon et al., 2008; Miyake et al., 2000; Zelazo et al., 2003 ), identifying difficulties in this construct for individuals with DS is essential for targeting successful goal-directed behavior.
What is set shifting?
Set shifting is a form of cognitive flexibility that depends on the ability to shift attention in response to changes in goals or to environmental cues, permitting the rapid adaption of behavior to a change in contingencies (Fig. 2.6 ). An example of contingency change would be the number of trials it takes to shift from responding to a rewarded light cue, regardless of its position (left or right port), to responding to a rewarded position (now the right port only) regardless of the presence or absence of the previously rewarded light cue. The ability to shift behavior in response to such extradimensional cues depends on the lateral PFC in primates ( Moore et al., 2009) and the mPFC in rats ( Birrell and Brown, 2000 ), and this facility is usually differentiated from simple reversal learning, which depends on the orbital PFC ( McAlonan and Brown, 2003 ). The Wisconsin Card Sort Test is considered the “gold standard” neuropsychologic test for set shifting, and an age-related decrease in lateral PFC volume correlates with a decline in performance on this task ( Yuan and Raz, 2014 ). Previous cross-sectional research indicates that impairments in set shift behavior correlated with age ( Fisk and Sharp, 2004 ); however, significant differences are not observed until the age of 65–74 or older ( Robbins et al., 1998; Rhodes, 2004 ). Rhesus monkeys exhibit impaired attentional set shifting starting in middle-age, when examined using a conceptual set-shifting task ( Moore et al., 2006 ); this finding suggests that impaired cognitive flexibility may occur early in this primate model. In rats, impaired set shift is prominent in advanced age ( Barense et al., 2002; Nieves-Martinez et al., 2012; Beas et al., 2016; Ianov et al., 2016 ), and one study in mice indicated no age-related deficit in the ability to shift ( Young et al., 2010 ). The majority of available data, however, indicate that the ability to flexibly update behavior is compromised in advanced age and that this is linked to prefrontal cortical dysfunction.
What is the ability to switch between two different concepts?
Cognitive Flexibility. Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to switch between thinking about two different concepts or to think about multiple concepts simultaneously. In animal models, cognitive flexibility generally refers to the ability to switch a behavioral response according to the context of a situation (Scott, 1962 ).
Why is adaptive behavior not a straightforward issue?
This is not a straightforward issue, because only some of the changes around us are relevant and require cognitive flexibility. Most other changes are irrelevant (represent noise) and should be ignored. In the latter case, adaptive behavior depends on cognitive stability rather than cognitive flexibility.
Which regions are involved in flexible switching?
Recent reviews of cognitive flexibility have identified a distributed network of frontoparietal regions involved in flexible switching, including high-level cortical association areas ( vlPFC, dlPFC, anterior cingulate, and right anterior insula), the premotor cortex, the inferior and superior parietal cortices, the inferior temporal cortex, the occipital cortex, and subcortical structures such as the caudate and thalamus (Dajani and Uddin, 2015 ). Ongoing work is attempting to understand how these brain regions interact to form a coherent network to implement cognitive flexibility.
Does cognitive flexibility decrease with age?
Cognitive flexibility declines with age and often results in an inability to adapt to new situations and environments. The Wisconsin card sorting task, which requires individuals to adapt to new rules, shows that normal aging decreases cognitive flexibility in humans ( Boone et al., 1993 ). Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an ...
What is Cognitive Flexibility?
Cognitive flexibility is defined as the ability to switch one’s thinking (cognition) (or train of thought) as an adaptation to the demands of stimuli. In neuroscience, the term is sometimes referred to as “attention switching,” “cognitive shifting,” “mental flexibility,” “set shifting,” and “task switching.” Perhaps the most helpful way to explain cognitive flexibility is to use an analogy.
When does cognitive flexibility become more important?
Following peak brain development in the mid-20s, it is thought that cognitive flexibility can be maintained and/or enhanced for a long period of time. There is a transition between mid-life adulthood and elderly adulthood in which the cognition declines and neurodegeneration sets in. The elderly tend to have significantly reduced cognitive flexibility compared to younger adults.
Which part of the brain is responsible for cognitive flexibility?
Most experts believe that the prefrontal cortex is the driving force behind cognitive flexibility. The specific regions within the prefrontal cortex that are activated during a cognitive flexibility task are likely task-dependent. The basal ganglia is known to become active during selection of responses, whereas the posterior parietal cortex is active as we update preexisting information about how to perform a task.
Which brain regions are associated with cognitive flexibility?
These networks include: the anterior cingulate cortex, basal ganglia, posterior parietal cortex, and the prefrontal cortex.
When is the brain fully developed?
Generally adults ages 25 and up are thought to display the greatest degree of cognitive flexibility. The human brain is fully developed by the mid-20s, but up until the mid-20s, humans haven’t reached their full cognitive capacity. Young children display a significant degree of cognitive inflexibility due to lack of cortical development.
Is Texas Hold'em a cognitive flexibility?
Those that are able to easily alternate between playing Texas Hold ‘Em and 7 Card Stud in an “every-other-hand” format, likely have significant cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility not only helps when faced with unexpected situations, but it helps you update your belief system when exposed to better information. If you learn that smoking causes lung cancer, but are unable to shift your thinking to accept the more accurate information – you may be cognitively inflexible or “rigid.”
Does brain damage affect cognitive flexibility?
Some evidence suggests that any form of brain damage – regardless of the specific region, could reduce cognitive flexibility.
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What does “cognitive flexibility” mean?
Have you ever gotten stuck? Not literally, but stuck in the sense that you were moving right along when something unexpected happened that stopped you in your tracks? Maybe you were in the middle of writing your term paper when your computer glitched and you lost everything. What would you do?
Why is being cognitively flexible important?
Being cognitively flexible increases your likelihood of success, too. This ability to quickly adapt to new situations increases one’s brain function and resilience to stress. Cognitively flexible people tend to have increased fluency and comprehension while reading and they have an expanded sense of awareness.
What is the best way to improve your cognitive flexibility?
There are certain phrases you can learn to help you focus on improving your cognitive flexibility. Plan A/Plan B: Once you realize that you’re “stuck” (which isn’t always easy to see), think of the phrase, “Plan A/Plan B.”. When Plan A isn’t working, ask yourself about Plan B. If you don’t have one, make one!
How to increase cognitive flexibility?
To increase your cognitive flexibility, put your brain to work. Use an actual map instead of your phone, do the math yourself, or have a conversation with a teacher to find the answer to your question. Transfer your learning. Find ways to apply your current knowledge to different situations.
How does transfer learning improve cognitive flexibility?
Being able to find ways to transfer learning improves cognitive flexibility because you are able to adapt stored information to new situations. Exercise and play games. Both of these activities require coordination and some cognitive skill.
What Is Cognitive Flexibility?
- Cognitive flexibility is defined as the ability to switch one’s thinking (cognition) (or train of thought) as an adaptation to the demands of stimuli. In neuroscience, the term is sometimes referred to as “attention switching,” “cognitive shifting,” “mental flexibility,” “set shifting,” and “task switching.” Perhaps the most helpful way to explain ...
Aspects of Cognitive Flexibility
- Below is a list of potential elements of cognitive flexibility. It is important to understand that while most psychologists refer to cognitive flexibility as the ability to transition between multiple thoughts, some consider it to encompass concepts such as: updating old beliefs, multi-faceted thinking, and/or establishing commonalities between completely unrelated concepts. 1. Transiti…
Measuring Cognitive Flexibility
- There are many different tests and protocols utilized to measure cognitive flexibility. The ability to rapidly switch between focusing on one specific aspect of an object such as “color” to another aspect such as “shape” determines how cognitively flexible you are. Many measures of cognitive flexibility are regarded as age-specific due to the fact that they are either too simplistic or advan…
Neural Mechanisms of Cognitive Flexibility
- To determine the specific regions of the brain associated with cognitive flexibility, researchers used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans. The fMRI scans revealed that a variety of cortical networks are activated to facilitate cognitive flexibility. These networks include: the anterior cingulate cortex, basal ganglia, posterior parietal cortex, and the prefrontal cortex. 1. An…
Age and Cognitive Flexibility
- Generally adults ages 25 and up are thought to display the greatest degree of cognitive flexibility. The human brain is fully developedby the mid-20s, but up until the mid-20s, humans haven’t reached their full cognitive capacity. Young children display a significant degree of cognitive inflexibility due to lack of cortical development. For this reason, children are administered differe…
The Importance of Maintaining Cognitive Flexibility
- Cognitive flexibility is immensely important for shifting attention and thoughts quickly. Those with low levels of cognitive flexibility are unable to shift from one concept to another, and often become “stuck” in a single train of thought or aspect of focus (i.e. centration). Being cognitively stuck is akin to watching just one TV channel or reading one book for the rest of your life; you’ll h…