ABSTRACT
D espite unimpressive tooth and claw, during their brief tenure on this planet humans have worked their way to the top of the food chain. This success is due in large part to the evolution of large frontal lobes that allow humans to negotiate complex and highly effective social relationships (Dunbar, 2007). One important suite of abilities located in the frontal lobes are the executive functions, which are responsible for planning, coordinating, and integrating the basic cognitive and affective processes with which people navigate their everyday existence. A critical component of executive functioning is the ability to inhibit inappropriate thought and action (Dempster, 1992; Hasher & Zacks, 1988; Hasher, Zacks, & May, 1999). Inhibition is necessary for negotiation (and subsequent compromise) of competing goals and for the delay of gratication required to pursue long-term goals once they are chosen (Baumeister, Schmeichel, & Vohs, 2007; Dunbar, 1992;
Aging, Inhibition, and Self-Control 304 Aging, Inhibition, and Prejudice 304 Aging, Inhibition, and Social Inappropriateness 306 Aging, Inhibition, and Depression 308 Aging, Inhibition, and Problem Gambling 309
Mating, Risk-Taking, and Self-Control 310 Physical Attraction, Risk-Taking, and Self-Control 311 Testosterone, Physical Attraction, Risk-Taking, and Self-Control 312 Testosterone, Physical Attraction, and Executive Function 312
Conclusions 314 Author Note 315 Note 315 References 315
Eigsti et al., 2006). These important tasks place inhibitory ability at the center of successful social functioning (for a complementary perspective, see Friese, Wänke, & Hofmann, Chapter 4, this volume).
