Abstract

Executive functions are the high-level cognitive processes that facilitate new ways of behaving, and optimise one's approach to unfamiliar circumstances. As many situations in everyday life are not exactly the same as ones that we have encountered before, it follows that the operation of executive processes accompanies a very wide range of behaviours. But we particularly engage such processes when, for instance, we make a plan for the future, or voluntarily switch from one activity to another, or resist temptation; in other words, whenever we do many of the things that allow us to lead independent, purposeful lives.