Interim Summary

Abstract

This paper recommends banishing the term “executive functioning” and replacing it with the concept of a “cognitive control system.” This system is likely an evolutionary extension of the vertically organized cerebro-cerebellar and cortico-basal ganglia motor systems. The case for replacing the term “EF” was presented within a problem-solving paradigm. It was emphasized that continuous interaction with the environment, throughout the course of evolution and human development, generated a cognitive control system which is based upon anticipation and reward. The learning of procedures, the acquisition of aspects of declarative knowledge, and information about reward value are acquired through this ongoing interaction. It was stated that anticipation is a fundamental design characteristic of the brain, and that this was evident in both movement and thinking. It was proposed that thinking evolved for the specific purpose of controlling and guiding the motor system in order to adaptively interact with an environment that became increasingly complex throughout the course of phylogeny. In this regard, cognition is not separate from sensorimotor control. Thinking is directly linked to motor activity. The only difference between thinking and activity is the actual execution of the behavior.