DEVELOPING A MILITARY-RELEVANT ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY.

Abstract

Soldiers often have to make high-stake decisions which are time-sensitive, based on constantly changing orders and up-to-date information. Cognitive flexibility contributes to accurately dealing with such a dynamic decision making process. Existing task-switching paradigms (TSPs) measure cognitive flexibility by examining switchcost (task-switch – task-repetition): a delay in time while performing a task that is caused purely by a taskswitch. A downside to these tests is that they are not military relevant and are often regarded as not applicable to real-life situations. The Switch-and-Shoot Task (SST) and Zigzag Task (ZZT) were designed and programmed based on existing task-switching paradigms, military training tasks and consultation with experts. Both cognitive flexibility tests should be more closely related to the type of tasks in a military operational setting and therefore be military relevant assessment tools. The construct validity of the SST and ZZT, and the military relevance of the SST were evaluated in this study. Both the SST and the ZZT resulted in the expected switchcost that is characteristic of a TSP. While some modifications will have to be made, the SST overall is a valid and military relevant test for measuring constrained cognitive flexibility. A follow-up study of the ZZT is required to gain more insight into the military relevance of the test.