Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (Jul 2023)

Better together: novel methods for measuring and modeling development of executive function diversity while accounting for unity

  • Jessica Wise Younger,
  • Kristine D. O’Laughlin,
  • Joaquin A. Anguera,
  • Joaquin A. Anguera,
  • Silvia A. Bunge,
  • Emilio E. Ferrer,
  • Fumiko Hoeft,
  • Fumiko Hoeft,
  • Bruce D. McCandliss,
  • Jyoti Mishra,
  • Jyoti Mishra,
  • Miriam Rosenberg-Lee,
  • Adam Gazzaley,
  • Adam Gazzaley,
  • Melina R. Uncapher,
  • Melina R. Uncapher

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2023.1195013
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17

Abstract

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IntroductionExecutive functions (EFs) are linked to positive outcomes across the lifespan. Yet, methodological challenges have prevented precise understanding of the developmental trajectory of their organization.MethodsWe introduce novel methods to address challenges for both measuring and modeling EFs using an accelerated longitudinal design with a large, diverse sample of students in middle childhood (N = 1,286; ages 8 to 14). We used eight adaptive assessments hypothesized to measure three EFs, working memory, context monitoring, and interference resolution. We deployed adaptive assessments to equate EF challenge across ages and a data-driven, network analytic approach to reveal the evolving diversity of EFs while simultaneously accounting for their unity.Results and discussionUsing this methodological paradigm shift brought new precision and clarity to the development of these EFs, showing these eight tasks are organized into three stable components by age 10, but refinement of composition of these components continues through at least age 14.

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