Executive Functioning

The capacity to think before you act or the ability to resist the urge to say or do something allows us the time to evaluate a situation and how our behavior might impact it. For example, accepting a referee’s call without an argument is an example of which skill:

• Metacognition
• Response Inhibition
• Organization
• Planning/Prioritization

Which of the following is NOT an example of Response Inhibition?

• Thinking something funny during class but not saying it out loud
• Taking a deep breath when angry instead of yelling
• Blurting out an answer in class without raising your hand
• Waiting until class change to get a drink of water

Which of the following is a good technique to use to help with Response Inhibition?

• Counting to ten before responding.
• Refusing to take a “break” from a situation even if needed.
•  Going straight home after school instead of participating in sports or other after school activities.
  
• Eating more leafy greens

The ability to hold information in memory while performing complex tasks. It incorporates the ability to draw on past learning or experience to apply to the situation at hand or to project into the future. Example: In middle school, a student can remember the expectations of multiple teachers.
This is an example of…

• Working Memory
• Response Inhibition
• Organization
• Planning/Prioritization

Which of the following characteristics is NOT an example of Working Memory?

• ability to hold information in your memory while performing other tasks
• ability to draw on past learning to apply to the situation at hand
• ability to use experiences and apply to the future
• ability to think before you act

The following is an example of which EF skill? Remembering an unfamiliar name long enough to introduce that person to someone else.

• Working Memory
• Long Term Memory
• Metacognition
• Time Management

The ability to manage emotions in order to achieve goals, complete tasks, or control and direct behavior.
Example: A teenager is able to manage the anxiety of a game or test and still perform.

• Working Memory
• Response Inhibition
• Emotional Control 
• Metacognition

Which of the following characteristics is NOT an example of Emotional Control?

• Not allowing yourself to get too jealous
• Jumping and shouting when you win a game in class 
• Avoiding a situation or person that causes you to have a strong emotional response.
• Stopping and refocusing

Directing your attention from specific thoughts or images to something else can help change/regulate your emotional response.

• True
• False

The capacity to maintain attention to a situation or task in spite of distractions, fatigue, or boredom.
Examples: A student is able to remember the instructions a teacher has given. OR
Remembering a “to do” list that your mom or dad gives you before they leave the house is an example of which EF skill?

• Response Inhibition
• Task Initiation
• Sustained Attention 
• Organization