The webinar is an excellent introduction to how neuroscientists define executive function skills for adults, how executive functions develop and the factors that influence their development. The executive functions that Silvia has found critical for adults are:
- Self-control which involves controlling one’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors. It is important for not getting distracted from a goal and not immediately getting angry when someone upsets you.
- Planning which refers to the ability to outline long-term goals and identify obstacles and possible solutions. It is the skill that is used to lay out the series of steps needed to achieve goals, including setting appropriate deadlines and reminders.
- Monitoring which refers to the moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, behavior and one’s progress towards a goal. It is important for assessing how well I am doing at completing the task at hand and whether my behavior is appropriate for the setting
Powerpoint slides in PDF format for this webinar:
Adult Executive Functions – Presentation by Silvia Bunge (Slides)