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Comparison of executive functions in Russian and Japanese preschoolers

Aleksander Veraksa1, Mari Hasegawa2, Daria Bukhalenkova1

  • 1Department of Educational Psychology and Pedagogy, Faculty of Psychology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.

Frontiers in Psychology
|September 4, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Russian preschoolers exhibit higher cognitive flexibility and lower inhibition than Japanese preschoolers, with notable gender-specific differences. These findings suggest potential cultural influences on executive functions (EF) in early childhood.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Cross-Cultural Psychology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Executive functions (EF) are crucial for cognitive and social development.
  • Cross-cultural studies are vital for understanding universal and culturally specific aspects of cognitive development.
  • Preschool years represent a critical period for the development of executive functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare key executive function (EF) components, including inhibition and cognitive flexibility, between Russian and Japanese preschoolers.
  • To investigate potential gender differences in EF levels between the two cultural groups.
  • To explore the influence of cultural expectations on the development of executive functions.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of executive function (EF) components in 102 preschoolers (51 Russian, 51 Japanese) aged 5-6.9 years.
  • Assessment of inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.
  • Stratified analysis of results based on gender.

Main Results:

  • Russian preschoolers demonstrated significantly higher cognitive flexibility and lower inhibition compared to Japanese preschoolers.
  • Russian boys showed lower levels of cognitive and physical inhibition than Japanese boys.
  • Russian girls exhibited higher cognitive flexibility and lower cognitive inhibition than Japanese girls.

Conclusions:

  • Cultural differences in adult expectations may shape executive function (EF) development in preschoolers.
  • Cognitive flexibility and inhibition levels vary between Russian and Japanese children, suggesting cultural influences.
  • Gender-specific patterns in EF further highlight the complex interplay of culture and development.

Keywords:
cognitive flexibilityexecutive functionsinhibitionpreschool ageworking memory

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