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Published on: September 27, 2020
Executive functioning: overview, assessment, and research issues for non-neuropsychologists
1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, 380 S. 1530 E., Rm. 502, Salt Lake, UT, USA. yana.suchy@psych.utah.edu
Summary
Executive functioning (EF) involves forming, maintaining, and shifting mental sets for goal-directed behavior. This review addresses challenges in EF research, offering guidance for researchers in behavioral medicine and personality studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Executive functioning (EF) is a complex neuropsychological construct.
- EF involves forming, maintaining, and shifting mental sets.
- These abilities support reasoning, goal pursuit, and flexible adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address challenges in executive functioning (EF) research.
- To provide historical and neuroanatomical context for EF.
- To guide researchers in behavioral medicine and personality research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of EF research.
- Discussion of historical perspectives on EF.
- Overview of neuroanatomical underpinnings of EF.
Main Results:
- Clinical presentations of EF deficits are outlined.
- Definitions and operationalization of EF are provided.
- Appropriate assessment methods for EF are discussed.
Conclusions:
- General cautions for EF researchers are presented.
- Guidelines for conducting EF research are offered.
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