Description
Book SynopsisExecutive function (EF) is a central aspect of cognition that undergoes significant changes in early childhood. Changes in EF in early childhood are robustly predictive of academic achievement and general quality of life measures later in adulthood. We present a dynamic neural field (DNF) model that provides a process-based account of behavior and developmental change in a key task used to probe the early development of executive functionthe Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task. In the DCCS, children must flexibly switch from sorting cards either by shape or color to sorting by the other dimension. Typically, 3-year-olds, but not 5-year-olds, lack the flexibility to do so and perseverate on the first set of rules when instructed to switch. Using the DNF model, we demonstrate how rule-use and behavioral flexibility come about through a form of dimensional attention. Further, developmental change is captured by increasing the robustness and precision of dimensional attention. Note th
Table of ContentsCONTENTS
ABSTRACT VII
I. THE EMERGENCE OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION 1
II. A CASE STUDY OF THE DCCS TASK 12
III. DYNAMIC FIELD THEORY 26
IV. QUANTITATIVE FITS OF CORE FINDINGS IN THE DCCS LITERATURE 45
V. EMPIRICAL TEST OF THE DNF MODEL: THE ROLE OF SPACE 57
VI. BEYOND SPACE: THE ROLE OF FEATURE-SALIENCY AND ATTENTIONAL-WEIGHTS 64
VII. GENERAL DISCUSSION 72
REFERENCES 83
APPENDIX 96
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 103
COMMENTARY
MODELING THE EMERGENT EXECUTIVE: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTION Sandra A.Wiebe 104
DYNAMIC FIELD THEORY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS: LENDING EXPLANATION TO CURRENT THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT J. Bruce Morton 116
CONTRIBUTORS 125
STATEMENT OF EDITORIAL POLICY 126
SUBJECT INDEX 128
