Development of the inhibitory component of the executive functions in children and adolescents

The development of inhibitory control, one component of the executive functions, during childhood and adolescence was the focus of the present study. A group of 99 participants between 6 and 17 years of age were studied using the Stroop test. Results suggest the existence of age-related differences both in response times and errors that follow a nonlinear relationship. Interference increased in the first age groups, declining from around 10 years till 17 years. Data also suggest that word reading plays an important role in the performance of the task. When reading is blocked, linear relationships between age and interference measures emerge, showing an increase in inhibitory functions during childhood and adolescence.