Keeping a goal, stopping a response, and changing approach

Following an intention can require several kinds of mental control. You may need to remember what you are trying to do, resist a familiar response, and change your approach when the rule changes.

Psychologists often call these abilities executive functions. The word executive refers to guiding and coordinating activity. It does not mean that a single manager inside the brain makes every decision.

Three commonly discussed parts are working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. They often work together, but distinguishing them helps explain why two tasks that look similar can be difficult for different reasons.