Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
08:09
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
11.4K
Self-Regulation in Preschool: Are Executive Function and Effortful Control Overlapping Constructs?
Henning Heinze1,2, Monika Daseking1,2, Caterina Gawrilow2,3
1Developmental and Educational Psychology, Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Developmental Science
|December 16, 2024
Summary
Executive function (EF) and effortful control (EC) are closely related concepts in self-regulation. While distinct, measures of EF and EC show significant overlap in preschool-aged children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Child development
Background:
- Executive function (EF) involves cognitive processes for goal-directed self-regulation.
- Effortful control (EC) relates to the efficiency of executive attention and response inhibition.
- Both EF and EC are crucial for self-regulation in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between executive function (EF) and effortful control (EC) in preschoolers.
- To determine the conceptual overlap and distinctiveness of EF and EC constructs.
- To examine how these self-regulatory constructs relate in early development.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-eight preschoolers (mean age 3.93 years) were assessed using a computerized EF battery (EF Touch).
- Parental questionnaires (BRIEF-P, CBQ) were used to measure EF impairments and EC.
- Correlations and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to analyze construct associations.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between measures of EF and EC.
- A two-factor model provided a better fit than a one-factor model, indicating distinctiveness.
- Results suggest substantial overlap but also separability between EF and EC.
Conclusions:
- Executive function and effortful control are closely related but separable constructs in preschool-aged children.
- Understanding the interplay between EF and EC is vital for comprehending early self-regulation development.
- These findings contribute to the nuanced understanding of self-regulatory mechanisms in development.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Information Processing Approach
30
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
30
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
18.3K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
18.3K
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
38
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Primary Temperament Types
38
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
38
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
38
01:24Working Memory
133
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
133
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
38.8K
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about...
38.8K