Current Directions in Psychological Science· 2012Q1· Review
The Nature and Organization of Individual Differences in Executive Functions
- 3,763citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2012year
Short summary
Individual differences in executive functions (EFs) exhibit both unity and diversity, meaning different EFs are correlated yet separable, according to a new theoretical framework.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Individual differences in EFs show both unity (correlations) and diversity (separability).
- EF differences are influenced by substantial genetic contributions.
- EF differences demonstrate some developmental stability over time.
- EFs are linked to clinically and societally important phenomena.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs)-a set of general-purpose control processes that regulate one's thoughts and behaviors-have become a popular research topic lately and have been studied in many subdisciplines of psychological science. This article summarizes the EF research that our group has conducted to understand the nature of individual differences in EFs and their cognitive and biological underpinnings. In the context of a new theoretical framework that we have been developing (the unity/diversity framework), we describe four general conclusions that have emerged from our research. Specifically, we argue that individual differences in EFs, as measured with simple laboratory tasks, (1) show both unity and diversity (different EFs are correlated yet separable); (2) reflect substantial genetic contributions; (3) are related to various clinically and societally important phenomena; and (4) show some developmental stability.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2012 · DOI ↗
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Field: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Experimental and Cognitive PsychologyPsychology