Decomposing hot executive function: Decision making under ambiguity in preschoolers

Abstract

Hot executive function (EF) is a critical skillset involving the ability to make decisions when there are motivational or emotional influences present. The present study examined three- and four-year-old preschooler performance across three hot EF tasks. Associations between the measures, which included the Preschool Gambling Task (PGT), a Delay of Gratification (DoG) hybrid wait-choice paradigm, and the Trash to Treasure passive avoidance task, were also explored. A sample of 144 preschoolers (including 85 four-year-old children) completed the three hot EF tasks. The results revealed age differences on all three tasks. Furthermore, performance on Trash to Treasure and DoG were associated with different stages of decision making in the PGT, supporting the idea of differences in decision making when preschoolers have no knowledge of the task contingencies versus decision making when they have some knowledge. These findings suggest that age sensitive hot EF tasks have the potential to contribute to the assessment of developmental disorders that include EF impairments, such as autism or conduct disorder. Future studies should consider individual differences in EF development, increase the Trash to Treasure task sensitivity to age, and incorporate a larger sample.