Hot and Cool Executive Function in Childhood and Adolescence: Development and Plasticity

Zelazo, Philip David; Carlson, Stephanie M

doi:10.1111/j.1750-8606.2012.00246.x

Cited by 1,403Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesDevelopmental and Educational NeuropsychologyChild and Animal Learning Development

Hot and Cool Executive Function in Childhood and Adolescence: Development and Plasticity

Zelazo, Philip David, Carlson, Stephanie M·2012·Child Development Perspectives

DOI 10.1111/j.1750-8606.2012.00246.x

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Abstract

Executive function (EF), which refers to the more deliberate, top-down neurocognitive processes involved in self-regulation, develops most rapidly during the preschool years, together with the growth of neural networks involving prefrontal cortex but continues to develop well into adulthood. Both EF and the neural systems supporting EF vary as a function of motivational significance, and this article discusses the distinction between the top-down processes that operate in motivationally and emotionally significant situations (“hot EF”) and the top-down processes that operate is more affectively neutral contexts (“cool EF”). Emerging evidence indicates that both hot and cool EF are surprisingly malleable, with implications for intervention and prevention.

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The cognitive-control conceptualization of executive function ignores its interaction with emotional processing, often called hot executive function.
“this conceptualization of EF ignores interaction with emotional processing, often termed “hot EF” (Zelazo, 2012)”
From Data‐driven identification of subtypes of executive function across typical development, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorders (2020) · cites this paper as Zelazo, 2012

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Authors: Zelazo, P. D., & Carlson, S. M.
Affiliations: University of Minnesota (US)
Corresponding author: Zelazo, Philip David
ORCID: Zelazo, Philip David
Carlson, Stephanie M
Venue: Child Development Perspectives
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2012-11-14
Volume: 6
Issue: 4
Pages: 354-360
ISSN: 1750-8592 (ISSN-L)
1750-8606
DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-8606.2012.00246.x
OpenAlex: W2036823828
Cited by: 1,403
References: 15
Citations by year: 2026: 132 · 2025: 128 · 2024: 123 · 2023: 142 · 2022: 136 · 2021: 147 · 2020: 125 · 2019: 92 · 2018: 93 · 2017: 78 · 2016: 72 · 2015: 73 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 3
FWCI: 21.15
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: academic.oup.com/pages/standard-publication-reuse-rights (vor)
Locations: Child Development Perspectives (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
Keywords: executive function, hot executive function, cool executive function, self-regulation, prefrontal cortex, motivation, emotional meaning, cognitive development, neuroplasticity, childhood, adolescence

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Hot and Cool Executive Function in Childhood and Adolescence: Development and Plasticity

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