Evaluation of a differentiation model of preschoolers' executive functions.

Autor: Howard SJ; School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia ; Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia., Okely AD; School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia ; Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia., Ellis YG; School of Education, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia ; Early Start Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Frontiers in psychology [Front Psychol] 2015 Mar 17; Vol. 6, pp. 285. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Mar 17 (Print Publication: 2015).
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00285
Abstrakt: Despite the prominent role of executive functions in children's emerging competencies, there remains debate regarding the structure and development of executive functions. In an attempt to reconcile these discrepancies, a differentiation model of executive function development was evaluated in the early years using 6-month age groupings. Specifically, 281 preschoolers completed measures of working memory, inhibition, and shifting. Results contradicted suggestions that executive functions follow a single trajectory of progressive separation in childhood, instead suggesting that these functions may undergo a period of integration in the preschool years. These results highlight potential problems with current practices and theorizing in executive function research.
Databáze: MEDLINE