Table 1.

Mental domains and functional significance.

Domains	Functional Significance
Attention
Alertness (vigilance)	preparedness to respond or act
Information processing capacity	speed and accuracy of information processing
Sustained attention	maintenance of attention at a given level for an extended period of time
Divided attention	simultaneous attention to two or more stimuli/actions (prerequisite to perform concurrently two or more tasks)
Spatial attention	distribution of attention in space (global (parallel) processing, local processing)
Memory
Short-term memory	recall (reproduction or recognition) of a limited number of stimuli without further elaboration
Working memory	recall (reproduction or recognition) of a limited number of stimuli with further elaboration
Episodic memory	memory for specific, personally experienced events in a given context (time, place, etc.)
Semantic memory	memory for general or domain-specific knowledge or information
Verbal memory	capacity to remember (reproduction or recognition) written or spoken material
Visual memory	capacity to remember (reproduction or recognition) visual images
Executive function
Planning	mental outline of the steps required to perform a task or solve a problem
Problem solving	process by which individuals attempt to solve a complex task
Cognitive flexibility	objective appraisal and appropriate flexible action, e.g., ability to change between visual or verbal stimuli or between actions
Multi-tasking	ability to perform more than one action/task at a time, requiring multiple information processing, working memory, divided attention, and monitoring of actions
Affective state/mood	any type of emotional state, associated with an emotional response bias for days or weeks