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There is no universally accepted definition of Executive Functioning. The Merriam Webster online dictionary defines it as
‘The group of complex mental processes and cognitive abilities that control the skills required for goal-directed behaviour.’
Similarly, there is no definitive list of the cognitive abilities involved in executive functioning and sometimes different terms are employed to describe the same or very similar functions e.g. the terms ‘impulsivity’ and ‘disinhibition’ describe very similar executive problems.
Click on each cognitive ability to reveal the meaning of each term.
Some of the key elements include:
Initiation - independently starting a task or activity.
Self-Monitoring –attending to our behaviours and were necessary adjusting them in line with our future goals.
Inhibition - our ability to control or inhibit more automatic and over-learned responses.
Planning/Organisation – choosing and ordering a series of actions to achieve a desired goal.
Mental Shift/ Flexibility - the ability to switch between demands and activities in response to real world changes.
Emotional Regulation –the ability to control our emotions and respond appropriately and flexibly to a range of emotional situations.
Page last reviewed: 15 Jul 2022
