0010 Executive Function

What are the three core executive functions (Miyake et al., 2000)?

Inhibition, working memory (updating), and cognitive flexibility (shifting)

What is inhibitory control?

The ability to suppress prepotent or automatic responses — e.g., resisting the urge to blurt out an answer

What is the Stroop task's link to executive function?

It measures inhibitory control: the ability to suppress the automatic word-reading response in favor of naming the ink color

What is working memory?

The limited-capacity system for temporarily holding and manipulating information in mind

What is the difference between simple and complex span tasks?

Simple span tasks require only storage (e.g., digit span); complex span tasks require storage plus concurrent processing, and better predict higher-order cognition

What is cognitive flexibility (set shifting)?

The ability to switch between tasks, rules, or mental sets — e.g., alternating between sorting by color and by shape

What is the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and what does perseveration on it indicate?

A test in which sorting rules change unannounced; perseveration (sticking with the old rule) indicates poor cognitive flexibility, often after prefrontal damage

Which brain region is most associated with executive function?

The prefrontal cortex — especially the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

What is the role of the anterior cingulate cortex in executive function?

Monitoring conflict and signaling the need for greater cognitive control

How does dopamine relate to executive function?

Optimal prefrontal dopamine levels support working memory and flexibility; too little or too much impairs them (an inverted-U relationship)

What is the developmental trajectory of executive function?

It develops slowly through childhood and adolescence as the prefrontal cortex matures, peaking in young adulthood and declining in old age

What did Diamond & Lee (2011) find improves executive function in children?

Aerobic exercise, martial arts, yoga, and mindfulness training all improve executive function

How is ADHD related to executive function?

ADHD involves deficits in inhibitory control and working memory; stimulant medications improve these functions by increasing prefrontal dopamine and norepinephrine

What is the marshmallow test (Mischel et al.), and what did follow-ups show?

A measure of delay of gratification in children; longer waiting predicted better later academic and life outcomes — though replication work highlights socioeconomic confounds

What is ego depletion, and what is the current status of the concept?

The idea that self-control draws on a limited resource that gets depleted; large replication failures have made the strong version of the theory doubtful

What is the difference between hot and cool executive function?

Hot EF operates in emotionally or motivationally charged contexts; cool EF operates in neutral, abstract contexts — hot EF develops later

What is planning, and which test is commonly used to measure it?

Formulating a sequence of steps toward a goal; commonly measured with the Tower of London/Hanoi tasks

What is multitasking's real effect on performance?

True multitasking is a myth for controlled tasks — rapid task-switching incurs switch costs and degrades performance on both tasks

What did Ophir, Nass, & Wagner (2009) find about heavy media multitaskers?

They performed worse on task-switching tests and were more susceptible to distraction — chronic multitasking is linked to poorer cognitive control

What is the unity/diversity model of executive function?

Executive functions share a common underlying factor (unity, e.g., goal maintenance) but also have distinct components (diversity: inhibition, updating, shifting)

How do bilinguals differ in executive function, and what is debated?

Bilinguals sometimes show advantages in inhibitory control and task switching, but the "bilingual advantage" is hotly debated with many replication failures