What is an Executive Function?

Dr. Barkley has developed one of the leading theories of executive functioning and its role in the the nature of ADHD.

This theory is based on understanding the nature of the executive neuropsychological functions as a multi-level multi-component construct and its contribution to self-regulation across time to support the individual’s long-term goals and general welfare.

Barkley views EF as essential to self-regulation. He then defines self-regulation as an action to the self that is used to modify subsequent behavior to change the likelihood of a future consequence or event.

He then defines an EF as that action-to-the-self. As there are 7 major EFs, then in his view each is a class of actions we direct at ourselves to modify our behavior so as to change our future.

He then describes the development of these 7 EFs and how they come to form the 5 EFs we see people using in daily life.

Dr. Barkley’s books on EF are:

Barkley, R. A. (1997). ADHD and the nature of Self-Control. New York: Guilford Publications. Reissued in paperback in 2001.

Barkley, R. A. (2012). Executive Functions: What they are, how they work, and why they evolved. New York: Guilford Publications.