Self-Reported Cognitive Failures

Abstract

The Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (CFQ) is a well-known and frequently used self-report measure of cognitive lapses and slips, for example, throwing away the candy bar and keeping the wrapping. Measurement models of individual differences in cognitive failures have failed to produce consistent results so far. In this article we establish a measurement model distinguishing three factors of self-reported cognitive failures labeled Clumsiness, Retrieval, and Intention forgotten. The relationships of the CFQ factors with a variety of self-report instruments are investigated. Measures of minor lapses, neuroticism, functional and dysfunctional self-consciousness, cognitive interference, and memory complaints provide evidence across several studies for the interpretation of self-reported cognitive failures as an aspect of neuroticism that primarily reflects general subjective complaints about cognition. We conclude that self-report measures about cognition ought to be interpreted as expressing worries about one’s cognition rather than measuring cognitive abilities themselves.

Self–Compassion as A Facet of Neuroticism? A Reply to the Comments of Neff, TóTh–KiráLy, and Colosimo (2018)

“…Items such as 'I know exactly how I felt' (DERS10) or 'When I'm upset, I have difficulty controlling my behavior' (DERS31) clearly aim at ability measurement; however, they ask the test taker to respond in self-reports. We are not aware of an exception to the rule that efforts to measure ability constructs with typical behaviour approaches fail (Wilhelm, 2005;Wilhelm, Witthöft, & Schipolowski, 2010). Furthermore, the low objectivity of self-reported ability is reflected by typically zero to small correlations with objective measures of maximal ability (e.g.…”

A systematic review of the relationship between psychological disorders or substance use and self-reported cognitive failures

“…However, the use of self-reported cognitive failures leads to questions of validity. Given that neuropsychological assessments are considered the "gold-standard" method of capturing cognition, the poor correspondence between performance on neuropsychological assessments and self-reported slips is of concern to some authors (Donohoe et al, 2009;Wilhelm, Witthoeft, & Schipolowski, 2010). It may be, however, that the two types of assessment are capturing different, but equally relevant and valid, aspects of cognition.…”

“…Particularly pertinent is the association between cognitive failures and neuroticism (Broadbent et al, 1982;Gerald Matthews & Wells, 1988). Two views of this relationship are expressed: neurotic people, 1) are genuinely more prone to everyday cognitive failures (Neupert, Mroczek, & Spiro, 2008;Suls & Martin, 2005), or 2) tend to exaggerate reports of failures due to their negative self-appraisal style (Wilhelm, Witthöft, & Schipolowski, 2010). It is necessary to determine more imaginative methods for validating the assessment of cognitive failures to ensure that the concerns of critics can be addressed.…”

Working memory dysfunction in insomniac adults: a systematic metanalytical review

“…15 Nonetheless, such differences are nonspecific to insomniac individuals, given that these symptoms have been documented not only in a variety of disorders, including mild cognitive impairment, 44 schizophrenia, 45 and multiple sclerosis, 46 but also in healthy people. 47 Although the impairments could be influenced by multiple factors, such as fatigue and mood, in some studies, 48,49 subjective performance (as compared to objective performance) has the potential advantage of predicting structural brain damage or cognitive decline. However, whether actual day--to-day functioning can be better predicted by objective or self-reported cognitive deficits remains the object of controvery.…”