In both the private and work spheres, multitasking among three or more activities has become and is continuing to evolve as a pervasive element of everyday life, and recent technological advances only seem to be exacerbating the process. Despite attempts to understand the mental processes that let humans successfully multitask, little is known about the functional cognitive level at which these mental processes take place. This thesis makes a case for the involvement of spatial ability (among other cognitive abilities) in successful multitasking behavior. It focuses on the importance of the cognitive off-loading of executive control demands onto spatial ability, due to the inherent complexity of relationships between task goals and deadlines in multitasking scenarios. Importantly, it presents a working hypothesis—the spatiotemporal hypothesis of multitasking—as a tool for making specific predictions about multitasking performance, based on individual and sex differences in spatial ability. In Study 1, individual differences in spatial ability and executive functions emerged as independent predictors of multitasking performance. When spatial ability was decomposed into its subcomponents, only the coordinate (metric), but not categorical (nonmetric), processing of spatial relations was related to multitasking performance. Males outperformed females in both spatial ability and multitasking, and the effects were moderated by menstrual changes, in that sex differences in coordinate spatial processing and multitasking were observed between males and females in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, but not between males and females at menses. In Study II, multitasking performance reflected age- and sex-related differences in executive functioning and spatial ability, suggesting that executive functions contribute to multitasking performance across the adult life span, and that reliance on spatial skills for coordinating deadlines is reduced with advancing age. The results of Study III, in which the spatiotemporal hypothesis was directly scrutinized, suggest that the spatial disruption of multiple deadlines interferes with multitasking performance. Overall, these findings suggest that multitasking performance, under certain conditions, reflects independent contributions of spatial ability and executive functioning. Moreover, the results support the distinction between categorical and coordinate spatial processing, suggesting that these two basic relational processes are selectively affected by female sex hormones and are differentially effective, even across the age span, in transforming and handling temporal patterns as spatial relations in the context of multitasking. Finally, fluctuations of sex hormones exhibit a modulating effect on sex differences in spatial ability and multitasking performance. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript.</p>

Extensive research on the development of self-regulation has demonstrated that better executive functioning and effortful control during the preschool years are associated with greater kindergarten and early school achievement. Recent findings suggest that self-regulation tasks differ in their assessment of “hot” and “cool” regulation, how these processes map onto effortful control and executive functioning, and may predict school readiness. However, only a few studies have examined the validity of hot and cool regulation tasks (Allan & Lonigan, 2014; Di Norcia, Pecora, Bombi, Baumgartner, & Laghi, 2015; Willoughby, Kupersmidt, Voegler-Lee, & Bryant, 2011), and how they predict socio-emotional competence (Di Norcia et al., 2015) and academic performance (Kim, Nordling, Yoon, Boldt, & Kochanska, 2013). The current study examined the validity of hot and cool tasks as measures of self-regulation and predictive measures of school readiness within a low-income sample. The sample consisted of 64 preschoolers between the ages of three (n= 38) and four (n= 26) who were enrolled in a blended Head Start program. The Preschooler Self-Regulation Assessment, Woodcock Johnson subtests (Letter Word, Applied Problem, and Picture Vocabulary), and teacher ratings of social competence (Social Competence and Behavioral Evaluation) and emotional competence (Emotion Regulation Checklist) were collected in the fall and spring of the school year. Results indicated that performance on the Cool and Hot tasks was moderate to highly correlated with academic performance and teacher ratings of socio-emotional competence respectively. Developmental differences in selfregulation performance suggested that cool regulation begins to develop later in the preschool period and may depend on earlier development of hot regulatory processes. There were also gains in academic achievement and socio-emotional competence from fall to spring. Regression analyses indicated that Hot and Cool tasks did not predict socio-emotional competence and academic achievement as distinctively as expected. Hot and cool regulation seemed to predict socio-emotional competence and academic achievement in parallel, with the exception of math performance, which was strongly predicted by Cool task performance above and beyond Hot tasks. Results suggest that hot and cool regulation overlap in predicting school readiness.

Assessment of executive functioning in neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism) is a crucial aspect of neuropsychological evaluations. The executive functions are accomplished by the supervisory attentional system (SAS) and include such processes as inhibition, switching, and planning. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tends to present similarly to other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ADHD). For example, ASD and ADHD may share similar etiological underpinnings in the frontostriatal system of the frontal lobe. Research on executive functioning in ASD has been mixed, thus the precise nature of executive functioning deficits in ASD remains equivocal. In recent years, simulation technologies have emerged as an avenue to assess neurocognitive functioning in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders impacting frontostriatal function. Simulation technology enables neuropsychologists to assess neurocognitive functioning within a testing environment that replicates environments in which the subject is likely to be in everyday life, as well as present controlled, real-world distractions, which may be better able to tap “hot” executive functions. A Virtual Classroom Continuous Performance Test (CPT) has been used successfully to assess attention in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders impacting frontostriatal function. The current study aimed to investigate executive functioning in individuals with high functioning ASD using a new construct driven Stroop assessment embedded into the Virtual Classroom. Group differences were found in the Virtual Classroom with distractions condition, indicating individuals with ASD may be more vulnerable to external interference control than neurotypical individuals.

The learning of mathematics can be a difficult process for many students. Understanding the cognitive components that contribute to arithmetic achievement may illuminate sources of difficulty and inform the development of better teaching and learning practices. Executive functions (EFs) have been implicated in the development of arithmetic skills in early childhood, but less is known about this relation across middle childhood and beyond. The current study included individuals ages 6-7, 9-10, 12-13, and 18+ years and examined the contributions of 3 components of EF, working memory (WM), inhibition, and set shifting (SS), to arithmetic skills in two domains. It was hypothesized that age, general cognitive ability, and EFs would have unique and combined influences on both domains of arithmetic: proficiency and fluency. Results from correlation, regression, and path analyses indicated that WM, inhibition, and SS differentially contributed to arithmetic proficiency and fluency. The implications for education and intervention are discussed.

Early social interactions are important to developing and maintaining positive social relationships in childhood. It is well understood that the social development is dependent on a number of developmental changes in both cognition and emotion. While most research has focused on cognitive and emotional models of social behaviors separately, a consideration for research investigating social behaviors is to examine cognitive processing and emotional processing concurrently. The current work focuses on the relationship between the executive processes involved in cognition and emotion regulation, and the influence on adaptive (social skills) and maladaptive (aggressive behavior) social behaviors. Specifically, the reformulated social behavioral model developed by Lemerise & Arsenio (2000) , as well as integrative model of social-cognitive-affective behavior (Beauchamp & Anderson, 2010) will guide this work and help specify the relationship between specific executive functions (working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility), emotion regulation, and children’s social behaviors in middle childhood.

En Sciences Cognitives, de plus en plus de travaux se sont consacrés à l’étude du fonctionnement cognitif chez les sujets bilingues. Ces études ont notamment montré que ces sujets étaient plus performants sur le plan du fonctionnement exécutif comparés aux monolingues. Cependant, ces travaux sont marqués par une très grande hétérogénéité dans la sélection des sujets ainsi que dans la méthodologie utilisée. La nature des composantes exécutives impliquées, la modalité (verbale vs non-verbale), ainsi que l’effet de l’âge sur cet avantage exécutif restent à préciser.Objectif : Etudier le fonctionnement exécutif et les stratégies cognitives de sujets bilingues français-anglais, dans des tâches exécutives (flexibilité, inhibition et mise à jour) verbales et non-verbales, et dans une épreuve de résolution de problèmes complexes, à divers âges de la vie. Matériel et Méthode : 85 sujets bilingues (17 préadolescents (13-15 ans), 20 adolescents (16-18 ans), 19 adultes (18-60 ans), 19 adultes (18 à 40 ans) et 10 adultes (41-65 ans)) et 85 sujets monolingues français appariés en âge et en quotient intellectuel ont été inclus et ont été évalués sur les des tests verbaux et non-verbaux explorant les trois composantes exécutives du modèle de Miyake, Friedman & al. (2000). Résultats : Chez les préadolescents, aucun avantage n’est retrouvé en faveur des bilingues quelles que soient la composante ou la modalité. Concernant les adolescents, les bilingues ont un avantage principalement en flexibilité en non-verbal, et à l’inverse, les monolingues ont un avantage en verbal pour cette même composante. Pour l’ensemble de ces adolescents, concernant la résolution d’un problème complexe, les monolingues mettent principalement en jeu des capacités inhibitoires et des capacités de mise à jour (verbal), alors qu’aucune stratégie préférentielle n’est retrouvée chez les bilingues. Chez les adultes de 18-60 ans, des performances plus élevées pour les capacités d’inhibition et en mise à jour sont retrouvées chez les bilingues, particulièrement en modalité verbale. Concernant la résolution d’un problème complexe, les monolingues mettent en jeu des capacités d’inhibition et de flexibilité, alors qu’aucune stratégie préférentielle n’est retrouvée chez les bilingues, à l’image de ce qui est observé chez les adolescents. Comparativement aux adultes plus jeunes ainsi qu’à des monolingues âgés, les bilingues âgés présentent des performances plus élevées pour les capacités de flexibilité, de mise à jour (verbal et non-verbal) et d’inhibition (verbal). L’inhibition est également moins ralentie dans les deux modalités comparativement aux sujets âgés monolingues. Globalement, les sujets âgés bilingues semblent moins affectés par le déclin cognitif lié au vieillissement.Conclusion : Par une méthodologie rigoureuse et homogène ainsi que par des analyses de comparaisons par classes d’âge et du niveau de langue, l’étude de l’effet du bilinguisme sur le fonctionnement cognitif confirme un avantage exécutif significatif chez les bilingues, dont les modalités dépendent néanmoins en grande partie de l’âge des sujets. / In Cognitive Sciences, more attention has been devoted to the study of cognitive functioning in bilingual subjects. These studies have shown that they were more efficient in terms of executive functioning compared to monolinguals. However, these studies are marked by a great heterogeneity in the selection of the bilingual subjects and the methodology used. The nature of executive components involved, the modality (verbal vs. non-verbal), and the effect of age on this executive benefit remains unclear. Aims : Studying executive functioning and cognitive strategies of French-English bilingual subjects on verbal and non-verbal executive tasks (flexibility, inhibition and updating) and on a complex solving task, at various stages of life. Materials and Methods : 85 bilingual subjects (17 preadolescents (13-15 years), 20 teenagers (16-18 years), 19 adults (18-60 years), 19 adults (18-40 years) and 10 adults (41-65 years)) and 85 French monolingual subjects matched on age and Intellectual Quotient were included and assessed on verbal and nonverbal executive tests exploring the three components of Miyake, Friedman & al.’s (2000 ) model. Results : For preadolescents, no benefit was found for bilingual subjects, irrespective of the component or modality. For adolescents, bilingual subjects have an advantage on non-verbal material, in flexibility mainly, while monolinguals have an advantage on verbal material for the same component. As far as solving a complex problem is concerned, all the monolingual subjects seem to put into play inhibitory and updating abilities (verbal), while no specific strategy is found in bilinguals. For the adults (18-60 years old), higher performances for inhibition and updating are found in bilinguals, particularly in the verbal modality. As for solving a complex problem, monolinguals call for inhibition and flexibility abilities, while, again no specific strategy is found in bilinguals. Compared to younger adults, as well as older monolingual subjects, older bilinguals have higher performances on flexibility, updating (verbal and nonverbal) and eventually inhibition which is less slowed down in both modalities compared to elderly monolinguals. Overall, elderly bilinguals seem less affected by cognitive decline associated with aging.Conclusion : Following a rigorous and consistent methodology and analysis by comparison of age groups and level of language, the study of the effect of bilingualism on cognitive functioning confirms a significant executive advantage in bilinguals, but the modalities largely depend on the subjects’ age.

The aim of this thesis is to examine the effects of indvidualized teaching on selected aspects of cognition and motivation. Research issues focus on changes in cognitive and executive functions, clients' attitude to tutored subjects, the difference between the attitude of clients to tutoring and school education and changes in length of clients' preparation for school lessons and changes in school results. The research sample consisted of 8 clients aged 14-18 who were involved in the individual tutoring programme. The applied methods were interview and the CAS2, assessment battery. The most important findings of the research include improvement in the performance of executive functions and increased perceived entertainment of school subjects. Compared to school education, tutoring was considered more useful, especially the individual and friendly approach of lecturers was evaluated more positively than teachers' approach. School results improved by at least one grade for all clients in at least one tutored subject.

Executive Function is conceptualized in this study as the ability to form (the planning functionality obtained through initiation and working memory), maintain (response selection and the ability to self-regulate and inhibit) and switch (cognitive flexibility, mental tracking, organization and sequencing) mental processes in order to effect a positive outcome. The present research is a quasi-experimental study embedded in the Positivist tradition that sets out to empirically evaluate the Executive Function profile of seropositive adolescents (n = 29) emerging from a low socio-economic background and currently on a managed ART programme when compared to a healthy contrast group (based on age, socio-demographic and educational system). As a quantitative study, Executive Function was operationalized through the use of multiple tests of Executive Function such as the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function Colour Word Interference Test (D-KEFS CWIT), the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B). As the study formed part of a larger study that included additional neurocognitive tests, including the WISC-R, selected subtests from the WISC-R were used to validate specific arguments relating to the study. The results showed that HIV positive adolescents were inclined to have poorer Executive Function performance especially under situations of higher cognitive load when compared to the unaffected group. The implications of these results are discussed in this research.

Accurate self-assessment of memory is important for everyday function. Self-rating accuracy may be affected by several factors in aging, and especially in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but these putative influences have rarely been examined in the same study to determine their relative importance and the potential interactions among them. We examined self-ratings of memory in healthy older adults and people with PD. We used two metamemory scales: the relatively comprehensive Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ) and the more brief Structured Telephone Interview for Dementia Assessment (STIDA). We took into account three key influencing variables: depression, personality variables (especially neuroticism and conscientiousness), and executive functions. The MMQ ability scale and the STIDA were moderately correlated for controls whereas this relationship failed to reach significance for patients after a Holm–Bonferroni correction. The difference between these correlations in the two groups was statistically significant. In both groups, objective memory performance and self-assessment of memory (assessed by MMQ ability, MMQ Satisfaction, and STIDA) were not significantly correlated. Conscientiousness and the interactions of group with conscientiousness and executive function were the strongest predictors of memory self-assessment as measured by MMQ ability. Our results suggest that memory self-assessment is not accurate, and is better predicted by conscientiousness and executive functions than by memory itself. Clinicians should know about the potential lack of accuracy of memory self-assessment when screening for memory impairment. Memory concerns reported by patients may not translate in objective memory impairment. At the opposite, confidence in memory may not reflect normal memory functioning.

Les objectifs de cette thèse étaient de comparer les indices géométriques de résistance osseuse de la hanche chez des sujets avec ou sans sarcopénie, de définir l’influence d’indices de force musculaire maximale sur plusieurs paramètres osseux et d’explorer les effets de trois programmes d’entraînement simultané physique et cognitif [Force (F) + Fonctions Exécutives (FE) ; Locomotion (L) + FE et L + F + FE) sur des paramètres biométriques variés. Cinq études ont été menées. Deux études préliminaires ont montré que la sarcopénie influence négativement la Densité Minérale Osseuse (DMO) de la hanche et les indices de résistance osseuse de la hanche. Deux autres ont montré que la force maximale est un déterminant positif de la DMO et des indices géométriques de résistance osseuse de la hanche. Une étude longitudinale a ensuite montré que le groupe F + FE présente les meilleurs gains au niveau de la : masse maigre, force maximale, paramètres osseux et qualité de vie. Le groupe d’entrainement de L + F + FE présente les meilleurs gains au niveau : des FE, du risque de chute et des paramètres aérobies. Le groupe d’entrainement de L + FE présente les pertes les plus importantes en masse grasse. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’entrainement de F + FE est le meilleur moyen d’adaptation ostéogénique et d’amélioration de la qualité de vie. Cependant, il est intéressant de choisir parmi les trois modalités d’entrainement celle la plus adaptée aux besoins de la personne au regard des effets prévisibles. / The aims of this thesis were to compare hip structure analysis variables in elderly subjects with and without sarcopenia, to define the relations between muscular maximal strength indices and multiple bone parameters, and to explore the effects of three different types of simultaneously physical and cognitive training [Resistance (R) + Executive Function (EF), Endurance (E) + EF and R + E + EF] on different biometric parameters in healthy elderly subjects. Five main studies have been conducted. Two cross-sectional studies have shown that sarcopenia negatively affects hip Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and hip bone strength indices. Two additional cross-sectional studies have shown that muscular maximal strength indices are positive determinants of BMD and hip geometry indices. A subsequent longitudinal study has shown that R + EF training had the higher effects on lean mass, muscular maximal strength, bone parameters and quality of life. R + E + EF training had the higher effects on EF, risk of falling and aerobic performance. E + EF training had the higher effects on fat mass. These results suggest that the R + EF training ensures better osteogenic adaptation and improvement of quality of life in healthy elderly subjects. However, implementation of training program in elderly should consider individual needs and frailty.