Executive functions development, from childhood to youthhood

Abstract

The executive functions are among the most complex cognitive processes in the human; during development they support the conformation of several capacities for organization and control of behavior and cognition. In this article an extensive review on the most relevant scientific literature is presented, with a developmental range from childhood to youthhood. An analysis on the developmental characteristics of the main executive functions is offered. The review indicates that the hypothesis stated by Victoria Anderson a decade ago, is accurate: the executive functions develops in a sequential form, with a curvilinear behavior: an intense progression during childhood, with slowness by early adolescence. Effects of additional factors like school level, parenting, and cultural context are also analyzed.