Executive function Flashcards
What is the simple definition of executive functioning?
- goal-focused decision making
- at a basic level, it represents the means by which behavioural options are selected
What is the official definition of executive function?
Doing what must be done to solve a problem or achieve one’s goals. EF incorporates aspects of attention, memory, planning, reasoning, problem solving
What does executive functioning include?
- initiating intentional behaviour
- planning behavioural routines to to accomplish intentions
- maintaining and regulating goal-directed behaviour
- monitoring and modifying behaviour in response to situational variables
What are some important concepts related to executive function?
- inhibit responses appropriately
- use working memory
- regulate and control behaviour
- be flexible and take a different approach
How might executive function become impaired?
when the frontal lobes are damaged
What might executive function impairment include?
- difficulty initiating purposeful activity
- difficulty carrying out daily activities
- impaired inhibition
- impaired ability to formulate goals
- impaired planning
- reduced ability to regulate performance
What are some of the ways to assess executive function?
- Wisconsin card sorting test
- Behavioural assessment of dysexecutive syndrome (BADS)
- key search task
- multiple errands test
Which is the most common way to assess executive function?
multiple errands test
What is the Wisconsin card test?
- sort cards according to common features
- the matching feature changes as you play
What functions are required for the Wisconsin card sorting test?
- perception and processing of what is there
- attend to the info
- remember what the rule was
- inhibit the urge to continue with the rule when it changes
What are the 6 subtests in the BADS Assessment
- rule shift cards
- action programme
- key search
- temporal judgement
- zoo map
- dysexecutive syndrome questionnaire (self and significant other)
What is the multiple errands test?
- a functional assessment
- real world shopping task
- client given written instructions and rules
- self rate how well they do pre and post task
- therapists score post session
Who developed the MET?
Shallice and Burgess (1991)
What is the rationale for using the MET?
- less structured/controlled environment than standardised assessment
- gives observational data about skills that can’t be observed in clinical situations
- may provide additional evidence from that of standardised assessments
- can feedback to team in terms of predicted impact of achievement on aims
- some do badly in real life and well on standardised assessments
