评执行功能的问题解决理论

对执行功能的定义存在着多种理论观点，但由于执行功能的含义广泛，该领域仍缺乏一个统一明确的定义。鉴于已有的各种理论的不足，该文着重介绍了Zelazo等人提出的研究执行功能的新思路：根据问题解决的理论框架来构建执行功能的概念，从而把执行功能的不同方面就其功能暂时整合在一个统一的框架中。根据这个问题解决的框架，执行功能是一个由问题解决的四个阶段组成的宏观概念：问题表征、计划、执行、评价。这种观点承认执行功能内在的复杂性和层次性，并引导我们深入地研究各亚功能之间的相互作用，有助于我们将该领域内各种不同的研究结果整合起来；但这种理论本身也存在值得商榷的地方，不能毫无批判地接受。

On the Problem-Solving Framework about Executive Function

There are various definitions and theories about executive function (EF). However, EF has such a broad connotation that there has not been a definite and consistent definition about it. Whereas the limitations of the existing theories, this article introduces a new approach to illustrate EF proposed by Zelazo et al.: to ground the construct of EF on the theoretical framework of problem solving and thereby to integrate temporally and functionally distinct aspects of EF within a coherent framework. According to this problem-solving framework, EF is a macroconstruct that spans 4 phases of problem solving (i.e., representation, planning, execution, and evaluation). This point of view acknowledges the inherent complexity and hierarchy of EF and permits us to proceed with the difficult task of mapping out the interactions among the subfunctions of EF. It will help us to integrate various outcomes in the field of EF. The article also presents the deficiencies of this approach.