The role of verbal and performance intelligence in children's strategy selection and execution

The present study investigated the extent to which verbal intelligence (VIQ) and performance intelligence (PIQ) contribute to strategy selection and execution in the context of a numerosity judgement task. The choice/no-choice method was used to appropriately assess strategy selection (in terms of strategy repertoire, frequency and adaptivity) and strategy execution (in terms of strategy speed and accuracy) in a group of 120 12-year-old children. For each parameter, a regression analysis was carried out with VIQ and PIQ, as independent variables, and with arithmetic proficiency as a control variable. Results showed that VIQ was a significant predictor for all parameters of strategic competence, whereas PIQ only explained a unique portion of the variance above and beyond VIQ in the speed of strategy execution.

► We tested the role of verbal (VIQ) and performance intelligence (PIQ) in children's strategy use.
► VIQ played a unique role in all parameters of strategic competence, PIQ only did so in the speed of strategy execution.
► VIQ can be used as a predictor of children's strategic performance.