Fluid Reasoning and Cognitive Flexibility in Schizophrenia

Fluid reasoning signifies problem solving capacity of an individual in novel situations without taking recourse to acquired learning. Cognitive flexibility is a process of redirecting attention to the changing demands of the environment. It is one of the processes of executive functions which are considered typically regulated by prefrontal regions of the frontal lobe. Literature reports that fluid reasoning or fluid intelligence contributes to other frontal deficits. The present study was specifically designed to estimate to what extent fluid reasoning contributes to cognitive flexibility as measured by Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Trail Making Test (TMT) in persons with schizophrenia. This study is a cross-sectional study carried out at Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Agra. The sample consisted of 30 persons with schizophrenia. Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) was used as a measure of fluid reasoning and WCST and TMT as measures of cognitive flexibility. Correlation coefficients suggested little association between fluid reasoning and cognitive flexibility in schizophrenia.