8 executive function Flashcards
What is executive function?
the processes that coordinate, regulate and organise other aspects of our cognitive functioning and behaviour in the pursuit of goal directed behaviour.
What are the main executive functions?
the inhibition of dominant behaviour and resistance to distraction; the ability to flexibly shift and control attention; and the rapid updating of information in working memory
What is Miyake and Friedman´s model of executive function?
- Inhibition (Inhibitory Control):
- The ability to deliberately suppress or override dominant, automatic, or prepotent responses.
- Examples: Resisting distractions, controlling impulses.
- Shifting (Cognitive Flexibility):
- The capacity to switch between tasks, mental states, or perspectives.
- Examples: Moving from one task to another, adapting to new rules or changes in priorities.
- Updating (Working Memory Updating):
- The process of monitoring and revising working memory contents by incorporating new information.
- Examples: Keeping track of recent events, continuously updating information in mind.
Key Points:
- These components are highly correlated but can be distinguished from one another.
- The model suggests that while these executive functions are related, they contribute uniquely to complex cognitive tasks.
- The model has been influential in understanding various aspects of cognitive control and has implications for studying individual differences, cognitive development, and mental health.
This model helps to explain how different executive functions work together to support complex, goal-directed behavior.
What is delay gratification important for?
human development
early self-regulation
long-term cognitive and coping competencies
predicts academic and social success in adolescence
Can early executive functioning predict later cognitive competencies?
Only WM in early childhood was a predictor of WM in adolescence
(out of planning, WM, inhibition, attention, delay of gratification)
maternal education as only demographic/environment variable
measures might need to be more developmentally sensitive
What did the case of phineas cage show us about the brain´s role in personality?
Gageʼs case supports the localization of brain function.
It showed the frontal lobeʼs role in personality.
His recovery demonstrated brain plasticity. -> he regained physical health, but exhibited erratic behaviour
damage in left frontal lobe
What is the connection between frontal lobe deficit and executive functioning?
Poor performance on executive function tests has been labeled as “frontal lobe deficit.”
Frontal lobes are consistently linked to executive functions despite the
circular reasoning.
Sensitivity and specificity of executive function measures to frontal lobe lesions are inconsistent.
Some with frontal lesions perform normally on executive function tests, while others with non-frontal lesions perform poorly
What circuits are suggested to play a role in executive functioning?
dorsolateral
ventromedial
orbitofrontal
Can measures of EF indicate frontal lobe damage?
A qualitative review of the WCST, phonemic verbal fluency, and Stroop test suggests they are sensitive but not specific indicators of frontal lobe damage.
Persons with frontal lobe lesions typically perform worse than those with non-frontal lesions, but some studies show similar poor performance in non-frontal or diffuse brain lesions.
Findings are inconsistent regarding the sensitivity and specificity of these executive function measures to frontal lobe lesions.
These tasks should not be used as definitive “frontal lobe tests” but as
tests of specific executive functions like problem-solving and cognitive
fluency.
Functional neuroimaging studies show these tests activate a distributed neural network involving both frontal and non-frontal brain regions.
What are supertaskers?
The concept of “supertaskers” challenges current understanding of
attention and dual-task control.
Supertaskers may have extraordinary multitasking abilities, similar to individuals with extraordinary memory abilities Price & Davis, 2008.
Executive attention and goal maintenance are crucial in multitasking Kane & Engle, 2002; Watson et al., in press)
Do supertaskers have superior executive functions? What is the evidence for this?
Supertaskers show no performance decline in dual-task conditions.
They perform as well or better in dual tasks compared to single tasks.
Supertaskersʼ single-task performance is in the top quartile, ruling out regression to the mean.
Monte Carlo simulation confirmed the frequency of supertaskers is
greater than chance.
Follow-up studies showed consistent performance on automated OSPAN and dual n-back tasks.
Superior performance in dual n-back task suggests generalization of
multitasking ability beyond initial tests.
What is dysexecutive syndrome?
Dysexecutive syndrome DES results from damage to the prefrontal region of the frontal lobe.
Causes memory problems, attention issues, language difficulties, perception changes, and behavioral problems.
Main affected functions include motor skills, attention, language,
perception, behavior, and memory.
Which specific brain areas can be affected causing DES?
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: planning, problem-solving, cognitive
flexibility, motor tasks.
Orbitofrontal cortex: behavioral issues, lack of inhibition, social norm adaptation.
Anterior cingulate cortex: apathy, spontaneous behavior, emotional
recognition, depression.
What is the development of white matter like during adolescence?
Increases linearly in volume, reflecting increased axon
diameter and myelination. DTI studies show prolonged maturation of association tracts, especially in frontal regions, with significant individual variability.
What is the development of grey matter like during adolescence?
Peaks in mid-to-late childhood and decreases during adolescence, indicating synaptic pruning.
Later development in frontal and
temporal lobes compared to occipital and parietal lobes.
Variability in cortical thickness changes is linked to cognitive abilities like IQ and working
memory.
