ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses theoretical as well as an empirical basis, how central executive processing within the Baddeley and Hitch working memory framework can be measured. It focuses on the extent to which developmental aspects have been considered so far and to what extent they have to be taken into account when measurement tools for children are created. Random generation represents a genuine central executive task that was originally proposed by Baddeley. Other measures, such as the Stroop task, the trail making test, and the decision-making task show a quite moderate and more linear developmental trend. Within the selective attention or inhibition measures, the highest degree of association was obtained between the Stroop task and the decision-making task. This chapter compares different working memory traditions with one another and show their implications on operationalizations that were designed up to the present. It focuses on the attempt to empirically evaluate Baddeley's conceptualization of the central executive functions within a developmental context.
