executive function
Cognitive control system
Executive function is the set of mental processes that govern goal-directed behavior—planning, organizing, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and managing impulses.
The term comes from cognitive psychology and neuroscience, referring to the brain's capacity to coordinate thought and action.
His ADHD affects executive function, so he struggles with time management.
Children develop executive function gradually; adults may lose it through injury or dementia.
Temporary cognitive holding space
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- cognitive flexibilityCapacity to shift perspectives
- planningArranging for future events
reasoning · problem-solving · decision-making · monitoring · updating · metacognition · self-monitoring · error detection
Arranging for future events
- prioritizingOrdering by importance
- time managementPlanning how hours are spent
- schedulingAssigning times to events
- goal-settingEstablishing intended outcomes
sequencing · deadlines · to-do lists · chunking · project management · multitasking · systematic approach · orderliness
Regulating sudden urges
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- delayed gratificationPostponing pleasure for benefit
emotional regulation · restraint · patience · discipline · focus · concentration · self-monitoring · composure
Brain's planning and impulse center
- frontal lobeBrain's decision-making center
- neural circuitryInterconnected nerve pathways
- brain developmentMental faculties emerging over time
- neurodevelopmentBrain formation through life stages
dopamine · ADHD · traumatic brain injury · neuroplasticity · white matter · basal ganglia · cognitive assessment · neuropsychology
Measuring intellectual function
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- occupational therapyRestoring practical life abilities
working memory
Temporary cognitive holding space
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- cognitive flexibilityCapacity to shift perspectives
planning · reasoning · problem-solving · decision-making · monitoring · updating · metacognition · self-monitoring · error detection · conflict resolution
planning
Arranging for future events
- prioritizingOrdering by importance
- time managementPlanning how hours are spent
- schedulingAssigning times to events
goal-setting · sequencing · deadlines · to-do lists · chunking · project management · multitasking · systematic approach · orderliness · workflow
impulse control
Regulating sudden urges
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
delayed gratification · emotional regulation · restraint · patience · discipline · focus · concentration · self-monitoring · composure · perseverance
prefrontal cortex
Brain's planning and impulse center
- frontal lobeBrain's decision-making center
- neural circuitryInterconnected nerve pathways
- brain developmentMental faculties emerging over time
neurodevelopment · dopamine · ADHD · traumatic brain injury · neuroplasticity · white matter · basal ganglia · cognitive assessment · neuropsychology · brain imaging
cognitive testing
Measuring intellectual function
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- developmentgrowth, progress, advancement, expansion, improvement
- child developmentbaby, toddler, newborn, infancy, milestones
- cognitionthinking, reasoning, thought, cognition, remembering
- mental processesthinking, think, reasoning, cognition, pondering
- multitaskingjuggling, divided attention, context switching, time sharing, balancing
- self-controlself-control, restraint, willpower, composure, moderation
executive functionhabit
Settled regular tendency
instinct · automaticity · reflex · conditioned response · procedural memory
executive functionexecutive dysfunction
Impaired self-direction and initiation
impulsivity · disinhibition · poor impulse control · cognitive impairment · disorganization
function, executive, execution, execute, executed, executives, executing, executor, executes