| The methods of cognitive neuroscience have allowed us to conceptualize psychometric intelligence in terms of cognitive processes associated with the prefrontal cortex (J. R. Gray & Thompson, 2004). In order to effectively bridge the gap between this new work and the extensive psychometric literature, it is necessary to define prefrontal cognition as a differential construct and empirically explore its characteristics in psychometric terms. Studies 1 and 2 assessed performance on a battery of (primarily dorsolateral) prefrontal cognitive ability (PFCA) tests, personality, IQ, and academic performance (AP) in two undergraduate samples, with study 2 providing more extensive analysis of the various facets of IQ. In both studies, AP was correlated with PFCA (r = .37 and .33, p's < .01, for Study 1 and 2, respectively), IQ (r = .24, p < .05 and r = .39, p < .01, for Study 1 and 2, respectively), and Conscientiousness (r = .26, p < .05 and r = .37, p < .01, for Study 1 and 2, respectively). PFCA remained significant in regression analyses controlling for general cognitive ability and personality. Studies 3 and 4 assessed PFCA, personality, and workplace performance among managerial/administrative staff (Study 3) and assembly-line workers (Study 4) at a manufacturing company. The correlation of PFCA with supervisor ratings of manager performance ranged from r = .42 to .57, p < .001, depending on experience. PFCA also correlated with assembly line performance (controlling for experience, age, and education at pr = .21, p = .02). Conscientiousness correlated with supervisor rated performance at r = .23 (p < .01) among assembly line workers. It is argued that PFCA may constitute a valid individual differences construct for non-brain damaged populations in the normal range of ability. The potential role of PFCA as a differential construct related to, but not identical with IQ and psychometric g, is discussed. |
