PSYC36H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Clinical Neuropsychology, Frontal Lobe, Executive Functions
Document Summary
Introduction: four components of executive function, volition, planning and decision making, purposive action, effective performance. Volition refers to the complex process of determining what one needs or wants and conceptualizing some kind of future realization of that need or want. Requires capacity to formulate a goal, to form intention. Awareness of one self psychologically, physically, and in relation to one"s surroundings is also necessary. Many persons who lack volitional capacity may not think of anything to do and in extreme cases they may be apathetic, unappreciative of themselves as distinctive persons, or both. May be capable of fulfilling needs but do not carry them out unless instructed to do so. Very few formal tests that look at volition, and examiners must usually depend on observation: examining motivational capacity. Look at patient"s likes, dislikes, what is fun, what makes them angry, etc. Examination techniques can require the patient to initiate activity.
