Chen et al. (2020) investigated the development of cognitive control capacity (CCC) in pairs of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins aged between 6 and 18 years, and in a group of young adults as a reference. CCC, a construct central to executive functions and higher-order mental processes, was estimated based on performance on a perceptual decision-making task.
The results revealed an increase in CCC from 1.55 bits per second (bps) at age 6 to 3.87 bps at age 21, with a reduced growth rate depending on age. The heritability of CCC was estimated at 0.66, indicating strong genetic influence, while shared and non-shared environmental influences were 0.18 and 0.16, respectively.
Implications for understanding cognitive control
This study brings important advances in understanding the development of cognitive control, demonstrating its non-linear trajectory throughout the school years and the substantial genetic influence on this process. Additionally, the significant correlation between CCC and IQ (r = 0.34) reinforces the association between cognitive control and high-level cognition.
Practical applications and future directions
The findings of Chen et al. (2020) have significant implications for education and early intervention in children with cognitive control difficulties. Identifying genetic and environmental factors that influence the development of CCC can guide the development of personalized strategies to optimize learning and academic performance.
Future studies could investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the development of CCC, exploring how the maturation of specific brain regions relates to increased cognitive control capacity. Additionally, longitudinal research could deepen understanding of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors over time, providing valuable information for interventions aimed at promoting healthy cognitive development.
