Topic 6 - executive function

Question 1

what is executive function

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

what are the 3 main sub domains in executive function

Answer 2

inhibitory control
working memory
cognitive flexibility

Question 3

what is inhibitory control

Answer 3

• ability to pause and think before action
• overcome inclinations to do one thing and do what is appropriate / needed

Question 4

what is response inhibition (type of inhibitory control)

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

what is working memory

Answer 5

ability to hold info in short term memory and mentally manipulate that info in order to store in long term and use them appropriately

Question 6

what is cognitive flexibility

Answer 6

• ability to flexibly adjust to changed demands, priorities, environments, or perspectives
• underpins ability to make new connections, see implications, and form analogies

Question 7

what is the dorsolateral PFC involved in

Answer 7

main driver for executive function
- online processing of info (integrating different dimensions or cognition and behaviour)
- cognitive flexibility
- response inhibition

Question 8

what is the orbitofrontal cortex involved in

Answer 8

• impulse control
• maintenance of set
• monitoring ongoing behaviour
• socially appropriate behaviours

Question 9

what is the anterior cingulate (deep to dlPFC, and orbitofrontal cortex) involved in

Answer 9

• emotional drives
• experience
• integration
• aids in inhibition of inappropriate responses

Question 10

what is the overall role of executive function

Answer 10

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)

Question 11

how does executive function develop

Answer 11

• 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