executive function

Bridgezipf 4.52

Pronunciation

/ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtɪv ˈfʌŋkʃən/(ig-ZEK-yoo-tiv FUNK-shun)

Part of speech

nounneuroscience / psychology

Chinese

执行功能（计划、决策、自我控制等高级认知能力）

Definition

A set of cognitive processes — including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control — that enable planning, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and managing multiple tasks. Centred in the prefrontal cortex.

Word family

  • executivefunctioning (n)

Collocations

  • executive function skills
  • executive function deficit
  • executive function in children
  • impaired executive function
  • executive function and ADHD

Examples

  1. 1.Executive function is why you can resist eating the cake (inhibition), switch from writing an email to answering a phone call (cognitive flexibility), and remember what you were doing before the interruption (working memory). (cognitive control)
  2. 2.ADHD is primarily a disorder of executive function — the prefrontal cortex develops more slowly, making planning, impulse control, and sustained attention significantly harder. (clinical deficit)

Synonyms

  • cognitive control (the ability to regulate thought and action)
  • self-regulation— managing one's behaviour and emotions

Etymology

"executive" from Latin "exsequi" (to follow out, to carry out) — from "ex" (out) + "sequi" (to follow) — the brain functions that carry out higher-order plans