Executive Function Beyond Minority World Contexts: A Call for Culturally Relevant Assessments in Historically Overlooked Populations in Majority World Countries

Abstract

Executive function (EF) is crucial in cognitive development, yet current research remains focused on Minority world societies, overlooking the diverse populations in underrepresented countries. This manuscript addresses the cultural biases in widely used EF assessments and the need for culturally relevant tools from a Latin American perspective. By examining overlooked populations in the majority world countries, I argue that current EF evaluation methods fail to account for the cultural and socioeconomic contexts that shape cognitive performance. Through examples from Brazil and similar contexts, this paper underscores the urgency of adapting EF assessments to reflect human diversity. I propose specific recommendations, including cross-cultural collaborations, mixed-method approaches, engaging local communities in the design of assessments, and the development of context-specific norms. By addressing these gaps, the field of EF research can advance toward a more inclusive and accurate understanding of cognitive development across diverse global populations.