The generation of visual inferences in normal elderly Influence of schooling and visual complexity

Abstract

The generation of inferences makes the construction and comprehension of discourse easier, and integrates representations which add coherence to the arguments. Visuoperceptual and inferential deficits merge in the attempt to explain the difficulties that some individuals have in the comprehension of certain kinds of visual stimuli.Objectivesa) To examine the performance of cognitively healthy elderly subjects in the execution of visual inferences using pictures of different levels of complexity;b) To compare the performance of subjects according to schooling level.MethodsA total of 45 normal elderly aged from 61 to 82yrs (M=68; SD=0.57) were examined. The subjects were divided into three groups according to schooling level: Group 1 (1 to 4 years); Group 2 (5 to 8 years) and Group 3 (9 or more years). Each subject had to create a narrative based on four figures with controlled visual complexity. The narratives were transcribed, analysed and scored.ResultsFor the essential inferences, the high educated group (3) had a better performance in both visually simple and complex conditions. On the visually complex figures, the medium educated group (2) was statistically equivalent to the high educated group for one figure and equivalent to the less educated group (1) for the other. There was no difference among the groups for the accessory propositions.ConclusionsVisual complexity interferes with the subject’s ability to make inferences in low and medium educated individuals. High educated subjects maintain the same performance in making inferences, regardless of the visual complexity level.

Visual reproduction test in normal elderly: Influence of schooling and visual task complexity

“…Several studies have shown an association of the execution or reproduction of mental and memory tasks with schooling level. 11 - 16 The process of visual reproduction of a picture after a time interval, such as that used in the present study, is dependent on memory, especially short-term memory. 16 Moreover, the relationship between schooling and visual acquisition may influence the reliability of reproduction.…”

“… 11 - 16 The process of visual reproduction of a picture after a time interval, such as that used in the present study, is dependent on memory, especially short-term memory. 16 Moreover, the relationship between schooling and visual acquisition may influence the reliability of reproduction. 17 - 19 Our results show that individuals with over 8 years of schooling had superior performance to the other groups on visual reproduction of Pictures one and two ( Figure 2 ).…”

Impairment of Inferential Abilities Based on Pictorial Stimuli in Patients With Right-Hemisphere Damage

“…Educational level is a highly recognized factor impacting cognitive performance, especially as measured by neuropsychological tests, which rely at a great extent on metacognitive processes highly dependent on formal training (as provided by schooling; Hamel & Joanette, 2007;Myers & Brookshire, 1996;Ribeiro, Freitas, Radanovic, & Mansur, 2010).…”

Inferential abilities based on pictorial stimuli in patients with right hemisphere damage: Influence of schooling

“…However, they used auditory stimuli as the assessment instrument. In Brazil, Ribeiro et al 16 investigated the performance of normal elderly on tasks of visual inference using pictures of different degrees of visual complexity and compared the performance of subjects according to schooling level. The results indicated that highly educated subjects maintained the same effectiveness in making inferences, independently of picture complexity, but visual complexity interfered with the low and medium educated subjects' ability to make inferences.…”