Typical Executive Function Development Flashcards
Define executive function
the set of processes that underlie the ability to control our thought and actions
what is the nature of executive function?
an effortful process
top-down process which modulates low level bottom up processes
goal directed process
acts on thoughts and actions
what types of situation is executive function used?
novel situations
situations requiring flexibility
what are 3 types of executive function?
shifting, updating, inhibition
what is updating also known as?
working memory
what is updating?
holding important information or goal in mind, manipulating information in your head
what is inhibition?
ignoring distracting information and suppressing unwanted responses
what is shifting?
responding the the same thing in different ways depending on the context
early executive functioning skills are a predictor of what?
academic and social success
when are the first signs of EF?
8-9 months old. Consolidated at 12 months
what skill does the dimensional change card sort (DCCS) require?
Shifting
In mid childhood, is working memory, inhibition or shifting more complex for improvements?
shifting
different developmental trajectories supports the idea that EF components are what?
separable
what does grey matter consist of?
the cell bodies, dendrites and axon terminals of neurons. it is where the synapses are
what does white matter consist of?
myelinated axons which connects different parts of grey matter together
what is synaptic pruning?
where the brain refines the large amount of connections made in the brain in early life to keep the important connections and eliminate redundant/not useful connections
what area of the brain is last to undergo synaptogenesis?
prefrontal cortex at 2-4 years old
what is the purpose of synaptic pruning?
to strengthen relevant connections
During development, what happens to the connection of different brain areas?
as we age the amount of connections between certain brain areas increase by function rather than location and the connections based on location decrease
what length of connection in the brain increases as we develop and why?
longer distance connections so that areas that provide the same function are better connected - integration of processes
during a task that requires inhibition, what type of connection do children rely on and where?
short range connections within the parietal lobe
