Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Executive function skills are a set of cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize information, regulate behavior and emotions, solve problems flexibly, and achieve goals.
Working memory is a component of executive function that involves temporarily holding and manipulating information in mind to guide thinking and behavior. It allows us to remember instructions while performing tasks or mentally juggle multiple pieces of information simultaneously.
Inhibition: Inhibition refers to the ability to suppress irrelevant or impulsive thoughts/actions and stay focused on relevant goals or tasks. It helps us control impulses, resist distractions, wait our turn when necessary, and think before acting.
Cognitive flexibility is the capacity to shift attention between different tasks or perspectives flexibly. It enables us to adapt quickly when situations change unexpectedly, switch between strategies when faced with obstacles, and approach problems from various angles.