Topic 6 - executive function Flashcards
what is executive function
- essential to activities of daily living
- underlies behavioural adaptations to our dynamic environment (connections with surroundings)
-capacity to flexibility plan purposeful behaviour - considered responsible for the synthesis of external stimuli and prep for action
what are the 3 main sub domains in executive function
inhibitory control
working memory
cognitive flexibility
what is inhibitory control
- ability to pause and think before action
- overcome inclinations to do one thing and do what is appropriate / needed
what is response inhibition (type of inhibitory control)
- suppression of actions that are inappropriate in a given context and that interfere with goal driven behaviour
- started a behaviour that isn’t right and the ability to change it part way through
what is working memory
ability to hold info in short term memory and mentally manipulate that info in order to store in long term and use them appropriately
what is cognitive flexibility
- ability to flexibly adjust to changed demands, priorities, environments, or perspectives
- underpins ability to make new connections, see implications, and form analogies
what is the dorsolateral PFC involved in
main driver for executive function
- online processing of info (integrating different dimensions or cognition and behaviour)
- cognitive flexibility
- response inhibition
what is the orbitofrontal cortex involved in
- impulse control
- maintenance of set
- monitoring ongoing behaviour
- socially appropriate behaviours
what is the anterior cingulate (deep to dlPFC, and orbitofrontal cortex) involved in
- emotional drives
- experience
- integration
- aids in inhibition of inappropriate responses
what is the overall role of executive function
handle novel situations outside of the domain of more automated psych processes
- planning
- decision making
- error correction
- immediate responses
- dangerous situations
- overcoming habitual responses (smoking, alcoholism, etc)
how does executive function develop
- not developed at birth
- starts developing after around a year
- gain inhibitory control and attentional capacities as they mature and change
- around 15 - close to adult levels