title: The "EF" in deficiency: Examining the linkages between executive function and the utilization deficiency observed in preschoolers.
abstract: We investigated the contribution of preschoolers' executive function (EF) skills to the effectiveness of their spontaneous strategy production when learning. Performance on computerized tasks of inhibition, attention shifting, and working memory was examined in relation to the effectiveness of 112 3- to 5-year-olds' spontaneous strategy production on a spatial memory task. Participants were asked to remember the locations of four toys representing one of two categories (animals or chairs) placed in a wooden box. Most participants spontaneously implemented a clustering strategy by removing and/or replacing the toys according to category membership. However, less than half of these strategic participants showed concomitant memory benefits (recall of toy locations). The remainder showed a utilization deficiency. After controlling for age and IQ, participants who performed better on EF tasks were more likely to benefit from having used the clustering strategy. These findings indicate that utilization deficiencies among preschoolers may be partially accounted for by individual differences in EF.
authors: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, USA. Electronic address: mary.stone@marist.edu.
authors: Mary M
authors: MM
authors: Stone
authors: Graduate School of Education, Division of Educational and Psychological Services, Fordham University, New York, NY 10023, USA.
authors: Fran C
authors: FC
authors: Blumberg
authors: Department of Applied Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors: Clancy
authors: C
authors: Blair
authors: Graduate School of Education, Division of Educational and Psychological Services, Fordham University, New York, NY 10023, USA.
authors: Anthony A
authors: AA
authors: Cancelli
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D010988:Play and Playthings; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Attention; Cognitive development; Executive function; Preschool; Spatial memory; Strategy; Utilization deficiency