Research on the cognitive deficits associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder has highlighted deficits in executive function in individuals with the disorder.
This article suggests deconstructing the umbrella term “executive function” and focuses
on one of its component processes: cognitive inhibition. Cognitive developmental psychology
research suggests that component processes, such as cognitive inhibition, should be
examined from a variety of approaches to fully appreciate patterns of competency and
deficit. This article contrasts cognitive inhibition from behavioral inhibition and
resistance to interference. Two types of cognitive inhibition, automatic and intentional,
are proposed. Finally, suggestions for guiding research design are taken from the
cognitive developmental psychology literature. These include studying very limited
age ranges and conducting longitudinal research, investigating qualitative and quantitative
differences in performance, examining the underlying processing and strategy differences
between populations, and investigating multiple aspects of performance between populations.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 27, 2005
Accepted:
March 8,
2005
Received in revised form:
January 31,
2005
Received:
May 26,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
