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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 13, 2026

A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance

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An Embodied Account of Early Executive-Function Development.

Janna M Gottwald¹, Sheila Achermann¹, Carin Marciszko¹

¹Department of Psychology, Uppsala University.

Psychological Science

|October 22, 2016

Summary

Early markers for executive functioning are crucial. This study found that prospective motor control in 18-month-olds predicts performance on executive function tasks, suggesting an embodied development of action control.

Keywords:

executive functions infancy motor development prospective motor control reaching

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Area of Science:

Developmental Psychology
Neuroscience
Motor Control

Background:

Executive functioning is vital for later life outcomes.
Early identification of executive functioning is needed for interventions.
Understanding early development of executive functions is key.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify early markers of executive functioning in infants.
To investigate the relationship between motor control and executive functions in 18-month-olds.
To explore an embodied perspective on executive functioning development.

Main Methods:

18-month-old infants completed executive-function tasks (inhibition, working memory).
Motion-capture technology assessed prospective motor control during reaching.
Peak velocity of the first movement unit measured motor control.

Main Results:

Prospective motor control correlated with performance on simple inhibition and working memory tasks.
This study demonstrates a link between low-level movement planning and higher-order executive control.
Motor control and executive functioning are intertwined in early development.

Conclusions:

Motor control is a significant early predictor of executive functioning.
Executive functions and prospective motor control may share a common developmental origin in action control.
An embodied perspective offers insights into executive functioning development.