Theories of EF

Question 1

development of behavioural schemas (SAS)

Answer 1

• different routes to developing behavioural schemas
• sometimes a schema can automatically come to us
• may require explicitly thinking and developing one
• another route is recognizing an existing schema won’t work, then engaging in additional special mental processes that may help you develop a new schema
  ie. episodic memory retrieval

Question 2

behavioural inhibiton

Answer 2

• stopping a routine or habit
• being able to manage distractions
• ability to put on the mental brakes
• argued that key to ADHD is impairment in behavioural inhibition

Question 3

what does behavioural inhibition control?

Answer 3

• working memory
• self-regulation
• internalization of speech
• reconstitution
• they influence how we behave
• can be impaired by behavioural inhibition impairment

Question 4

guided activation theory and core assumptions for an executive region

Answer 4

1. Provide a source of activity to exert control
2. Maintain goals in the face of distractions
3. House appropriate representations for control
4. Plasticity

Question 5

disconnection syndromes

Answer 5

• 2 areas of brain not talking to each other
• could be due to disconnection by brain injury
• path between 2 brain areas can be structurally intact but not functionally doing its job

Question 6

Cascade of control model

Answer 6

• argues that choosing to pay attention to something sets off cascade of control
• tries to link different control processes to various subregions of the PFC

Question 7

Adele Diamond’s EF Framework

Answer 7

• argues you have 3 core executive functions that work together to build higher- level executive functions
• creates a hierarchy
  core executive functions:
  1. working memory
  2. inhibitory control
  3. cognitive flexibility
  higher-level executive functions:
  1. reasoning
  2. problem solving
  3. planning

Question 8

fluid intelligence

Answer 8

• ability to solve problems with the info you have in front of you
• synonymous with reasoning and problem-solving

Question 9

factor analysis

Answer 9

allows us to simplify a set of complex variables or items using statistical procedures to explore the underlying dimensions that explain the relationships between the multiple variables/items

Question 10

latent vs manifest variables

Answer 10

latent: things we can’t see directly but can see the product of it, theoretical construct
manifest: measurable
- part of factor analysis

Question 11

factor analysis of EF tests

Answer 11

• identified 3 executive abilities that underlied EF tests
• shifting, updating, inhibition
• they work together to perform complex executive tasks
• analysis showed that these 3 are discrete cognitive constructs that work together for complex behaviour