Typical Executive Function Development

Question 1

Define executive function

Answer 1

the set of processes that underlie the ability to control our thought and actions

Question 2

what is the nature of executive function?

Answer 2

an effortful process

top-down process which modulates low level bottom up processes

goal directed process

acts on thoughts and actions

Question 3

what types of situation is executive function used?

Answer 3

novel situations

situations requiring flexibility

Question 4

what are 3 types of executive function?

Answer 4

shifting, updating, inhibition

Question 5

what is updating also known as?

Answer 5

working memory

Question 6

what is updating?

Answer 6

holding important information or goal in mind, manipulating information in your head

Question 7

what is inhibition?

Answer 7

ignoring distracting information and suppressing unwanted responses

Question 8

what is shifting?

Answer 8

responding the the same thing in different ways depending on the context

Question 9

early executive functioning skills are a predictor of what?

Answer 9

academic and social success

Question 10

when are the first signs of EF?

Answer 10

8-9 months old. Consolidated at 12 months

Question 11

what skill does the dimensional change card sort (DCCS) require?

Answer 11

Shifting

Question 11

In mid childhood, is working memory, inhibition or shifting more complex for improvements?

Answer 11

shifting

Question 12

different developmental trajectories supports the idea that EF components are what?

Answer 12

separable

Question 14

what does grey matter consist of?

Answer 14

the cell bodies, dendrites and axon terminals of neurons. it is where the synapses are

Question 15

what does white matter consist of?

Answer 15

myelinated axons which connects different parts of grey matter together

Question 16

what is synaptic pruning?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

what area of the brain is last to undergo synaptogenesis?

Answer 17

prefrontal cortex at 2-4 years old

Question 18

what is the purpose of synaptic pruning?

Answer 18

to strengthen relevant connections

Question 19

During development, what happens to the connection of different brain areas?

Answer 19

as we age the amount of connections between certain brain areas increase by function rather than location and the connections based on location decrease

Question 20

what length of connection in the brain increases as we develop and why?

Answer 20

longer distance connections so that areas that provide the same function are better connected - integration of processes

Question 21

during a task that requires inhibition, what type of connection do children rely on and where?

Answer 21

short range connections within the parietal lobe