Different executive functions support different kinds of cognitive flexibility: evidence from 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds

Blakey, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3685-3649, Visser, Ingmar and Carroll, Daniel J. 2016. Different executive functions support different kinds of cognitive flexibility: evidence from 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds. Child Development 87 (2) , pp. 513-526. 10.1111/cdev.12468

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (361kB) | Preview

Abstract

Improvements in cognitive flexibility during the preschool years have been linked to developments in both working memory and inhibitory control, though the precise contribution of each remains unclear. In the current study, one hundred and twenty 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds completed two rule-switching tasks. In one version, children switched rules in the presence of conflicting information, and in the other version, children switched rules in the presence of distracting information. Switching in the presence of conflict improved rapidly between the ages of 3 and 3.5 years, and was associated with better working memory. Conversely, switching in the presence of distraction developed significantly between the ages of 2 and 3 years, and was associated with better inhibitory control.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell
ISSN:	0009-3920
Funders:	Economic and Social Research Council
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance:	9 July 2015
Last Modified:	03 May 2023 11:53
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/84459

Citation Data

Cited 38 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item