ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a survey of executive function (EF) development across the life span. It discusses EF development in adulthood and aging, when the balance shifts from acquiring and refining new skills to declining capabilities. The book also discusses training studies examining plasticity of EF in adolescence, including evidence from behavioral and neuroimaging research, and conclude by highlighting areas where more research would be particularly valuable. It highlights the value of using mathematically formulated descriptions of the neurocognitive system to model developmental changes and learning processes across development. The book addresses the influence of lifestyle choices on the development and plasticity of EF, namely the active engagement in physical activity and cognitive training. It focuses on emotion dysregulation as a risk factor for anxiety and depression.
