Problem Solving

• What are executive functions also known as?

  Cognitive control function
• What do executive functions enable us to do?

  Effectively adapt to novel or demanding situations
• How do executive functions differ from automatic processes?

  EFs are used when automatic processing is insufficient
• How do executive functions control lower-level processes?

  In service of goal-directed behaviour
• What is the main task used to assess inhibition in executive functions?

  Stroop task
• What does the Stroop task assess?

  Ability to focus on relevant information
• What is the Go/No-go task designed to measure?

  Response inhibition by withholding actions
• What does delay discounting refer to?

  Reduction of reward value by temporal delay
• What is working memory necessary for?

  Learning, reasoning, and problem-solving
• What happens when the working memory system is overloaded?

  Information loss occurs
• What is the N-back task used to assess?

  Working memory capacity
• What does the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test measure?

  Ability to adapt to changing rules
• What is involved in the planning component of executive functions?

  Formulation and selection of actions to reach goals
• What does the Tower of Hanoi task require?

  Planning and decision-making
• What is the relationship between unity and diversity in executive functions?

  EFs are both shared and distinct functions
• What does self-monitoring in executive functions involve?

  Checking and evaluating performance
• How does frontal lobe damage affect executive functions?

  It affects regulation and effective use of cognitive processes
• What is the role of the Supervisory Attentional System (SAS)?

  Balancing initiation and inhibition of actions
• What is contention scheduling in the SAS?

  Inhibiting activation of other schemas when one is triggered
• How do schemas relate to familiar tasks?

  Schemas are activated for familiar tasks
• What is the significance of the frontal lobe in executive functions?

  It is highly interconnected and regulates cognition
• What is the proportion of the frontal cortex in the human brain?

  36% - 39%
• How does the development of executive functions change with age?

  Improves in young adulthood, declines in later years
• What is the Phineas Gage case known for?

  Demonstrating effects of prefrontal injury
• What did Luria contribute to the understanding of executive functions?

  Conceptualized EFs based on frontal lobe damage
• What are the main components of Luria's model of executive functions?

  Anticipation, planning, execution, self-monitoring
• How does the SAS deal with non-routine situations?

  Initiates willed behaviour and makes decisions
• What is the role of schemas in familiar tasks?

  They guide the activation of appropriate actions
• What does the Supervisory Attentional System (SAS) manage?

  Non-routine, difficult, or dangerous situations
• What is the role of contention scheduling in the SAS?

  It inhibits activation of other schemas
• How do patients with frontal lesions demonstrate action errors?

  Imbalance between contention scheduling and SAS
• What is the function of the central executive in working memory?

  Coordinates and monitors information processing
• What are the slave systems in working memory?

  Visuospatial sketchpad, phonological loop, episodic buffer
• What does the episodic buffer do?

  Maintains and manipulates information from episodic LTM
• How does the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) contribute to working memory?

  It is involved in manipulation and monitoring of information
• What is the domain specificity hypothesis regarding the PFC?

  Sub-regions are recruited based on task material
• What does the DLPFC primarily handle?

  Active manipulation and monitoring of information
• What is the role of the ventrolateral PFC?

  Detection of signals for goal-appropriate responses
• How does the orbitofrontal/ventromedial PFC influence decision-making?

  Integrates reward value into decision processes
• What is the somatic marker hypothesis?

  Emotional states guide decision-making in individuals