ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R
主办:中国科学院心理研究所
出版:科学出版社

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2012, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (11): 1768-1778.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2012.01768

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Inhibitory Control and Higher Cognitive Functions

WANG Jun;CHEN Tian-Yong   

  1. (Center on Aging Psychology; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)
  • Received:2012-05-28 Online:2012-11-15 Published:2012-11-01
  • Contact: CHEN Tian-Yong

Abstract: In recent years, associations between inhibitory control and higher cognitive functions were emphasized. Cumulative empirical evidence indicated that inhibitory control was an essential mechanism under working memory, reading comprehension, fluid intelligence as well as other higher cognitive functions. Neuroimaging studies also suggested that some common brain areas (e.g. prefrontal lobe and parietal lobe) were involved in inhibitory control and those three higher cognitive functions. Meanwhile, evidence from cognitive development, cognitive aging and cognitive intervention domains consistently showed that inhibitory control was close related with higher cognitive functions. More attention should be paid to the definition and measurement, as well as brain mechanism and training of inhibitory control in the future.

Key words: inhibitory control, working memory, reading comprehension, fluid intelligence, cognitive intervention