Executive Functions

Inhibition, working memory and mental flexibility: what these skills are, how they are measured, and what training them can and cannot do.

Thinking basics

What Are Executive Functions? A Beginner's Guide

Inhibition, working memory and flexibility explained: how executive functions are measured with Stroop, go/no-go and task switching, and whether training helps.

Updated October 11, 2026

Practise on LaserMind

Stroop Training

◈ Conditional evidence

Evidence for: trained conflict tasks

Go No-go

◈ Conditional evidence

Evidence for: trained inhibition tasks

Task Switching

◈ Conditional evidence

Evidence for: trained switching tasks

Mental Arithmetic

◈ Conditional evidence

Evidence for: arithmetic fluency

Mental Rotation

◈ Conditional evidence

Evidence for: spatial rotation tasks

Logic Puzzles

◈ Conditional evidence

Evidence for: rule-based reasoning practice