فصلنامه روانشناسی شناختی

---

In working memory (WM) tasks, performance can be boosted by directing attention to one memory object: When a retro-cue in the retention interval indicates which object will be tested, responding is faster and more accurate (theretro-cue benefit). This study tests explanations of the retro-cue benefits in 2 experiment desined by superlab software: Experiment 1, the effect of valid and invalid retro-cues compared with no-cues were tested before the  memory test. Experiment 2, We tested whether the retro-cue benefit in WM depends on sustained attention to the cued object by inserting an attention-demanding interruption task between the retro-cue and the memory test. In this quasi-experimental study, with a series of repeated measurements, 30 individual (15 for each test) from graduate students of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad were selected by convenience sampling and were tested. Data analysis of variance with repeated measurements and t-test for paired samples were also analyzed. The result showed that valid retro-cue compared to the no-cue was better. Also, it was shown when visual interference was held constant, retro-cue benefits were still obtained whenever the retro-cue enabled retrieval of an object from VWM but delayed response selection. The results showed that retro-cue improved visual working memory performance.
 

---

Aim: The being of impairments in executive functions could lead to weakness individual control on health behaviors and cigarette consumption. The aim of present research was to investigate effectiveness of comprehensive intervention in order to retraining executive functions in smokers. Method: A randomized controlled trial design with pre-posttest and two monthly follow up was applied. The study population included all smoker men in the summer 2016 in Gorgan city. A number of 60 eligible adult smokers were chosen according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria of the research and were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The Fagerstrom questionnaire for assessment of cigarette dependence was administered to two groups people. The experiment group then received 10 sessions (twice weekly) retraining of executive functions (Working Memory and Inhibitory Control), whereas in the control (placebo) group a placebo intervention like the original tasks were performed. The Fagerstrom questionnaire was again performed at post-test and in one month and two month follow up stages in both groups. Results: A repeated measure GLM: Multivariate Analysis of Variance showed significant differences between two groups in Fagerstrom in posttest and two follow up stages. Conclusion: Overall, the retraining executive functions intervention was effective on cigarette dependency and could use from this intervention in cigarette treatment programs. 

---

The purpose of this study is presentation the structural model of executive functions and extramarital relationship with mediating role of self­­­-control. The 210 samples were selected by convenience sampling. In experimental situation, for assessing executive function participants did computerized exams include: Stroop, Wisconsin, Go No Go and N- Back and completed self-control questionnaire of Tangney and attitudes toward infidelity scale of Whatley.  Data was analyzed through regression, structural equation modeling. Model has a suitable fit. Results shows that executive functions includes inhibition(-0/13), task switching(-0/13) ,working memory(-0/16)  and self-control(-0/10)had direct effect on extra marital relationship. Executive functions includes inhibition(-0/23), task switching(-0/11) ,working memory(-0/27) had indirect effect on extra marital relationship with mediation of self-control.
 

---

Integrated approaches try to connect different constructs in different theories and reinterpret them using a common conceptual framework. In this research, using the concept of processing levels, an integrated, three-level model of the cognitive systems has been proposed. In order to build an integrative framework for systematic interpretation of cognitive tests results, processing levels are divided into three categories of Feature-Oriented, Semantic and Conceptual Level. Since nervous system picks stimuli based on their features, processing levels in this framework is categorized based on the volume of stimuli's information, while Semantic network relates Feature-Oriented and Self-Oriented levels. To assessment the model quantitatively, 207 participants with impaired valance system from psychological clinics in Mashhad were selected by available sampling method. Participants' cognitive function was measured by The Beck Depression Inventory II, Semantic Distance Test, Verbal Fluency Test, Dot Probe Test, Stroop Test, Implicit Association Test and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Tets scores were organized as predictive variables, and the three processing levels were considered as mediating variables. The model's structure was analyzed through Structural Equation Model method with an exploratory approach. The best fitted model of data confirmed the three-level division of the research data. In this model, the path coefficient between semantic and conceptual constructions obtained 0.4. These results suggest that Feature-Oriented, Semantic, and Conceptual levels of cognition are differently processed, and cognitive tests results could be compared just in similar level according to the information volume of stimuli used. In previous studies, the relationship between Verbal Fluency test scores and the severity of Beck depressive score has often been controversial. Using the concept of processing levels, the relationship between these two variables have been reinterpreted.