Executive Function
Miller and Cohen's Integrative Model
1. PFC maintains goals and rules rather than information 2. PFC implements working memory 3. Executive functions are a temporary network of associations that are reconfigured from task to task.
Situation that require Executive Functioning
1. require planning or decision making 2. situations involving error correction or trouble-shooting 3. Situations where responses are not well-learned or contain novel sequences of actions. 4. Situations judged to be dangerous or technically difficult 5. Situations that require the overcoming of a strong habitual response or resisting temptation.
All neural roads eventually lead to the frontal lobes...Why does this make sense?
B/c frontal lobe is the highest level of thinking and reasoning. Frontal lobe=CEO of your brain (can get by without it, but not a good look).
Prefrontal Cortex
Controls cognitive processes to the appropriate movements are selected at the correct time and place.
What area of the brain is involved in planning and decision making?
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. It activates to select and manipulate info in working memory during planning.
Prefrontal Cortex
Extensive connections with: sensory systems, cortical and subcortical motor systems, memory systems, affect systems. Connections enable coordination in a variety of brain processes=most higher level/coordinating everything
How do frontal lobes relate to behavior?
Frontal Lobes control our behavior in response to social and environmental situations.
Subdivisions of the Frontal Lobes
Frontal lobe constitutes 20% of neocortex (outer layer of the brain) Made up of several functionally distinct regions: 1. Motor Cortex 2. Premotor Cortex 3. Prefrontal Cortex
Executive Functions
Meta-cognitive role that supersedes domains such as memory, language, perception... Associated with the prefrontal region of the frontal lobes ***It appears to be more complicated than this simple association though Associated with controlled rather than automatic behavior.
What happens if the road leads nowhere, as in PG (phineus gage)?
There's a lot of disorganization. Info is there but you're not utilizing the right way.
Anterior Cingulate
One portion associated with cognitive tasks associated with executive functions -Strongly linked with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex -Associated with error identification One portion associated with affective functions -Strongly linked with the limbic system and orbitofrontal regions. Suggested to generally be involved in evaluation of responses (Stroop Task)
Executive Funtion Key Words
Sustained Attention AKA attention span, working memory, inhibition (impulse control), cognitive flexibility: multi-tasking (trail making task->jumping your attention from one task to another), planning, decision making, problem solving.
Motor Cortex
Provides a mechanism for executing individual movement.
Premotor Cortex
Selects the movement to be executed.
Anterior most part of frontal lobes
Used for multi-tasking. Individual tasks will not trigger this area, asked to do two things at once does trigger this area.
2 examples of Specialized Regions of the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)
Ventromedial or Orbitofrontal cortex and Anterior most part of frontal lobes
Ventromedial or Orbitofrontal cortex
Where: sits above eye sockets and nasal cavity. What: Regulation of social behavior Utilization of emotional cues to guide behavior
