Executive Functions Infographic

Working memory captures what is going on around us. It consists of the phonological loop, the visual sketchpad, and the episodic buffer. The phonological loop holds our auditory information. It has two parts: the phonological store (inner ear), responsible for storing new words heard for one to two seconds in a speech-based format, and the articulatory control process (inner voice), which understands the articulation of speech. It allows us to practice and store the verbal information from the phonological store. A common example is repeating a phone number while dialing it. This is why working memory is often referred to as the sticky note of the brain. The audio-visual sketch pad is responsible for the processes involved in identifying, holding, and manipulating objects and their visual and spatial properties. It has two parts: the visual cache, which takes in the form, color, and other visual traits, and the inner scribe, which determines spatial location, movement representation, and planning. We use our visual sketch pad when we mentally visualize where we parked our car or to navigate to a certain place. The episodic buffer temporarily stores and incorporates knowledge from the phonological loop and the audio-visual sketch pad to create an episode of memory.

Inhibitory Control helps us focus. It is the part of executive functioning that is responsible for controlling our emotions, thoughts, feelings, and actions. It helps us pause and think before we do or act. It gives us time to use reasoning to respond accordingly to our environment. Inhibitory control can be broken down into two parts. Response inhibition and attentional inhibition. Response inhibition is suppressing an oral response that is inappropriate or has poor timing. Attentional inhibition is managing different information or distractions within our working memory.  It allows us to push aside irrelevant information that could derail the task at hand. A strong inhibitory control is vital for successfully interacting with others and achieving our goals.

Cognitive flexibility allows us to adjust. It is the ability to consider multiple perspectives, adapt to unexpected, new, or changing situations, and generate new solutions to problems. It is responsible for how we understand, have sympathy, and react to others' perspectives and intentions. Strong cognitive flexibility allows one to be more resilient to negative life events or stress. It supports the smooth transition from one activity to another.