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The Frontal Lobes and Executive Functioning

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Handbook of Executive Functioning

Abstract

The frontal lobes are often referred to as the seat of cognition and higher-order processing that play a role in virtually all domains of neuropsychological functioning; however, the examination of this mysterious cortical area is often plagued with dubiety. The frontal lobes have fascinated and perplexed scientists who study human behavior for decades, yet still remain largely understood (Filley, 2010). They play a role in virtually all neurological and psychiatric disorders (Levine & Craik, 2012) as well as in theories of development in children and adults. The frontal lobes regulate higher-order “executive” cognitive functions needed to successfully perform complex tasks in the environment. They include a number of psychological processes, including the selection and perception of pertinent information; maintenance, retrieval, and manipulation of information in working memory; self-directed behavior, planning, and organization; behavioral regulation and control in response to a changing environment; and appropriate decision-making on the basis of positive and negative outcomes. Dysfunction in the frontal lobes can result in a variety of deficits including distractibility and perseveration, social irresponsibility, lack of initiation, impulsivity, and disinhibition (Chudasama & Robbins, 2006).

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  1. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Tulio M. Otero & Lauren A. Barker

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  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

    Sam Goldstein

  2. University of Virginia Curry School of Education, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri

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Otero, T.M., Barker, L.A. (2014). The Frontal Lobes and Executive Functioning. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J. (eds) Handbook of Executive Functioning. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8106-5_3

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