Using locus of control to predict perceptual speed in older adults Sydney R. Griffin, Jessica L. Bradshaw, Sarah M. Junkins, Laura A. Whitlock, Anne Collins McLaughlin North Carolina State University INTRODUCTION ➢ Perceptual speed is important for daily function (Cavanaugh & Blanchard, 2011). ➢ Intellectual abilities such as perceptual speed decline during adulthood and old age (Ghisletta & Lindenberger, 2003) ➢ Personal control beliefs are related to cognitive function at older ages (Lachman & Agrigoroaei, 2012). ➢ Higher perceived control beliefs tend to correspond with higher levels of cognitive functioning (Windsor & Anstey, 2008). METHOD Cont. ➢ Multitasking locus of control was measured using the sense of control questionnaire from Lachman et al. 1998 and adapted to focus on multitasking. Participants were asked to rate whether they agreed or disagreed with statements about their perceived control over multitasking using a 6point Likert scale (0=strongly agree to 6=strongly disagree). ➢ Participant’s multitasking locus of control was found by averaging their responses to the MLOC questionnaire. Lower scores indicated low sense of control, while higher scores indicated high sense of control. SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE RESEARCH AIM ➢ Examine the relationship between multitasking locus of control and perceptual speed at older ages METHOD Participants DISCUSSION ➢ Future research should try to experimentally change a person's MLOC to see if it also changes their perceptual speed. ➢ Examples: • Pre and post test experimental design involving an intervention where participants are educated on internal and external locus of control. • Pre and post test experimental design involving an intervention with techniques on how to improve performance. The following are examples of statements adapted and used on the questionnaire for multitasking locus of control: 1) There’s no way I can get better at multitasking. 2) How well I multi-task is often beyond my control. 3) I often feel helpless when faced with having to do more than one thing at a time. RESULTS The sample consisted of 49 older adults living in independent homes or independent Senior Living Centers  Mean age of 77.54 (SD= 8.39; range= 66-91) Data Collection ➢ Data was collected through a series of tests given as part of a pilot study for playing a cognitive maintenance video game. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS/REFERENCES  This research was supported by a grant (NSF-0905127) from the National Science Foundation to Anne McLaughlin and Jason Allaire. Cavanaugh, J., & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2011). Intelligence. Adult development and aging (p. 241-242). Wadesworth:Cengage Learning. Ghisletta, P., & Lindenberger, U. (2003). Age-based structural dynamics between perceptual speed and knowledge in the Berlin Aging Study: Direct evidence for ability dedifferentiation in old age. Psychology And Aging, 18(4), 696-713. Lachman, M. E., & Agrigoroaei, S. (2012). Low perceived control as a risk factor for episodic memory: The mediational role of anxiety and task interference. Memory & Cognition, 40(2), 287-296. Windsor, T. D, & Anstey, K. J. (2008). A longitudinal investigation of perceived control and cognitive performance in young, midlife and older adults. Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition: A Journal on Normal and Dysfunctional Development, 15(6), 744-763. Manual. New York:Psychological Corporation. Wechsler, D. ( 1981). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Revised: Materials ➢ The Digit Symbol Substitution Test was used to measure perceptual speed (Weschler, 1981). Figure 1. MLOC predicting perceptual speed ➢ Perceptual speed score was extracted from the total number of items attempted in a set time minus the number of entry errors for the digit symbol substitution test. The scatter plot shows a positive relationship between multitasking locus of control and perceptual speed (p < .01, R2= 0.137). This means those with a higher sense of multitasking control also scored higher on a test of perceptual speed. LACElab at North Carolina State University www.lacelab.org