executive function the search for an integrated strongaccountstrong.pdfVIP

CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE Executive Function The Search for an Integrated Account Marie T. Banich Department of Psychology Neuroscience, and Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado at Boulder; Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Denver ABSTRACT—In general, executive function can be thought tracting or task irrelevant, switching between task goals, uti- of as the set of abilities required to effortfully guide be- lizing relevant information in support of decision making, havior toward a goal, especially in nonroutine situations. categorizing or otherwise abstracting common elements across Psychologists are interested in expanding the under- items, and handling novel information or situations. As can be standing of executive function because it is thought to be a seen from this list, the functions that fall under the category of key process in intelligent behavior, it is compromised in a executive function are indeed wide ranging. variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders, it varies across the life span, and it affects performance in compli- ASSESSING EXECUTIVE FUNCTION cated environments, such as the cockpits of advanced aircraft. This article provides a brief introduction to the The very nature of executive function makes it difficult to concept of executive function and discusses how it is measure in the clinic or the laboratory; it involves an individual assessed and the conditions under which it is compromised. guiding his or her behavior, especially in novel, unstructured, A short overview of the diverse theoretical viewpoints re- and nonroutine situations that require some degree of judgment. garding its psycholog