Executive functions

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The term executive functions (EF) is a collective term from brain research and neuropsychology . It describes those mental functions with which people (in the broader sense: higher living beings) control their own behavior, taking into account the conditions of their environment. They serve to adapt one's own actions as optimally as possible to a situation in order to achieve the most favorable behavior result. Other names for this bundle of skills are also “cognitive control” or “Supervisory Attentional System (SAS)” .

Executive functions are control processes that are used particularly when automated action is no longer sufficient to solve problems. Examples of such situations would be correcting a mistake, learning a complicated new skill, or breaking deeply ingrained habits. In these cases, instead of a routine procedure, a high degree of conscious and attentive action is required, for which the EF is required.

description

The executive functions include:

  • setting goals,
  • strategic action planning to achieve these goals,
  • Take into account obstacles on the way there,
  • Decision on priorities ,
  • Self-control ( impulse control and emotion regulation ),
  • the working memory
  • conscious attention control,
  • targeted starting, coordination and sequencing of actions,
  • motor implementation, observation of action results and self-correction.

It is about the higher mental and cognitive processes that serve the self-regulation and targeted action control of the individual in his environment. In summary, the EF can be understood as those psychological abilities “which immediately precede or accompany the execution of actions. "Also, self-motivation , the decision-making process ( Volition ) and the impetus for starting an action ( initiative ) are attributed to the executive functions.

The executive functions are of central importance everywhere in everyday life: They are indispensable for an independent lifestyle and make self-discipline , good time management , implementation strength and delayed reward possible in the first place.

Statistical research has shown that all more complex executive functions can be reduced to three independent basic processes:

  • Change of focus of attention ( shifting )
  • Inhibition of dominant response tendencies ( inhibition )
  • Updating of working memory contents ( updating )

The advantage of this approach is the good operationalization and measurability of these basic processes by means of tests.

Measurement method

Classical neuropsychological test procedures (e.g. the Stroop test ) are usually used to measure executive functions . However, their predictive power for real everyday activities ( ecological validity ) is increasingly being questioned and discussed controversially. For this reason, questionnaire procedures (such as the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) ), which are designed more closely to everyday life, are now used in parallel .

Examples of known measuring methods are:

Neurobiological substrate

The prerequisite for good functionality of these cognitive performances is an intact frontal lobe (especially prefrontal cortex ) and a balanced interaction of certain nerve tracts arranged in control loops and the associated neurotransmitters at the brain level . In addition to the frontal brain, these neural control circuits also include parts of the basal ganglia and the thalamus (see striatofrontal dysfunction ).

Medical relevance

In certain neurological disorders (e.g. frontotemporal dementia , dysphasia , traumatic brain injury , dysexecutive syndrome or frontal brain syndrome , fetal alcohol syndrome ), the executive functions are impaired. However, they are also more or less affected in a variety of mental illnesses or developmental disorders: For example, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism , Korsakov syndrome , schizophrenia or borderline syndrome .

literature

Reference books

  • Sandra Verena Müller: Disruptions in executive functions - when action planning becomes a problem. Hogrefe , Göttingen 2013, ISBN 978-3-8017-1761-2 .
  • Hans Förstl (Ed.): Frontal lobe - functions and diseases. 2nd Edition. Springer, Heidelberg / Berlin 2005, ISBN 3-540-20485-7 .
  • Ulrich Müller: The catecholaminergic modulation of prefrontal cognitive functions in humans. Habilitation thesis . MPI for Neuropsychological Research, Leipzig 2002, ISBN 3-9807904-5-2 .

counselor

  • Sabine Kubesch: Executive Functions and Self-Regulation - Neuroscientific Basics and Transfer to Pedagogical Practice. Hogrefe , 2014.
  • Peg Dawson and Richard Guare: Smart, But ... - Help children develop their skills by strengthening executive roles. Hogrefe , 2011.
  • Elkhonon Goldberg: Direction in the Brain - Where we make plans and make decisions. VAK, Kirchzarten near Freiburg im Breisgau 2002, ISBN 3-935767-04-8 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b c Lutz Jäncke : Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience . Hogrefe-Verlag 2013. ISBN 978-3-456-85004-7 , Chapter 11: Executive functions, pp. 387-422.
  2. ↑ Donald A. Norman, Tim Shallice (1986). Attention to Action: Willed and Automatic Control of Behavior. (Pp. 1-18) In: Richard J. Davidson (Eds). Consciousness and self-regulation. Vol. 4, New York Plenary. ISBN 978-1-4757-0631-4
  3. ^ Franz Petermann (ed.): Textbook of clinical child psychology. 7th, revised and expanded edition. Hogrefe, Göttingen 2013, ISBN 978-3-8409-2447-7 , p. 277.
  4. ↑ Renate Drechsler, Hans-Christoph Steinhausen : Behavioral inventory for assessing executive functions . (German-language adaptation of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) by GA Gioia, PK Isquith, SC Guy and L. Kenworthy and the Self-Report Version (BRIEF-SR) by SC Guy, PK Isquith and GA Gioia). Hogrefe Verlag, 2013.
  5. ↑ Anke Menzel-Begemann: HOTAP action organization and daily planning . Hogrefe Verlag 2009.