Premium
Developmental changes in executive functions during adolescence: A study of inhibition, shifting, and working memory
Author(s) -
Theodoraki Thalia E.,
McGeown Sarah P.,
Rhodes Sinead M.,
MacPherson Sarah E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
british journal of developmental psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 2044-835X
pISSN - 0261-510X
DOI - 10.1111/bjdp.12307
Subject(s) - working memory , psychology , executive functions , developmental psychology , socioeconomic status , cognition , task (project management) , cognitive psychology , neuroscience , demography , population , management , sociology , economics
The development of executive functions ( EF s) has primarily been studied among younger children, despite research suggesting that particular aspects of EF s continue to develop throughout adolescence and into adulthood. This study investigated whether EF s continue to develop during the later stages of adolescence: three related, yet separable EF components – inhibition, shifting, and working memory – were examined in a cross‐sectional sample of 347 adolescents (aged 14–18 years). After adjusting for covariates, age was found to be a significant predictor of pupils’ performance on the inhibition but not the shifting or working memory tasks, suggesting different developmental trajectories for the three EF components. Controlling for non‐executive processes implicated in performing the inhibition and working memory tasks had the most pronounced effect on the relationship between performance on those tasks and age. Finally, socioeconomic status was a significant predictor of performance on all tasks. Implications for research and practice are discussed.Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject?Brain regions associated with EF s continue to mature throughout adolescence, implying ongoing development of EF s. Behavioural studies demonstrate that certain EF s have not yet reached their adult levels in early adolescence.What the present study addsChanges in inhibition, but not shifting or working memory task performance, are evident among older adolescents. Lower‐order processes tapped by EF tasks act as confounds in the relationship between age and task performance. Socioeconomic status is a significant predictor of adolescents’ performance on EF tasks.