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Issues in the Conceptualization and Assessment of Hot Executive Functions in Childhood

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2014

Marilyn Welsh  and
Eric Peterson
Marilyn Welsh*
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado
Eric Peterson
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Marilyn Welsh, School of Psychological Sciences, Box 94, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Our review examines the current state of the research on hot executive function (EF), as contrasted with cool EF, with regard to the evidence for construct validity. Current theoretical discussions have examined the conceptual overlap among constructs such as hot EF, effortful control, self-control, and self-regulation. We explore this emerging literature with a focus on research questions, tasks, and methods. Finally, we consider the unresolved questions facing the study of hot EF, most notably the difficulty in determining the relative “heat” of a given task based on task content, testing context, and the individual differences among the participants. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–5)

Keywords

Hot and cool executive functionsEffortful controlSelf-regulationSelf-controlTemperamentPrefrontal cortex
Type
Short Review
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , February 2014 , pp. 152 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2014 

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