Em suma, diante da significativa falta de consenso sobre o construto das funções executivas, pode-se definir, de modo geral, como um conjunto de habilidades cognitivas que atuam de forma colaborativa para atingir um determinado objetivo. Deste modo, ele é considerado multidimensional. As habilidades cognitivas mais mencionadas pelos estudos na infância são: memória de trabalho, controle inibitório e flexibilidade cognitiva. Ressalta-se, ainda, a importância das funções executivas para diversas áreas da vida, como acadêmica, profissional, saúde física e mental. Logo, torna-se um construto de importante relevância para estudos. Principalmente, quando se trata da investigação acerca de seu desenvolvimento. Conclusões sobre o desenvolvimento das funções executivas são bastante controversas. Autores (Best et al 2009; Martin & Failows, 2010) sinalizam que o maior motivo da falta de consenso seria devido à variedade de tarefas e métodos. Sendo assim, é espera-se a execução de estudos que tenham a intenção de contribuir para elucidar sobre questões do desenvolvimento da estrutura das funções executivas em crianças.
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CAPÍTULO 2