Executive functions, social skills and distributive behavior in childhood

Abstract

Several studies have analyzed the association between cognitive functions and behaviors emitted in social interaction. The present study tested the existence of associations between executive functions (ef), social skills (ss) and distributive behavior (db) in childhood, as well as the effects of age and sex on these variables. 79 children (44.3 % boys) with typical development, between seven and twelve years old, participated in the study. The instruments used were the Multimedia Children’s Social Skills System, the Tower of Hanoi, a Stroop task and a dictatorial game, with stickers as resources to be distributed. It was found that older children had better performance in ef tasks, higher frequency of socially skillful behaviors and donated more stickers than younger ones. No associations were observed between ef, ss and cd, although cognitive flexibility and skillful behaviors were significantly correlated. It is suggested that cognitive flexibility contributes to engaging in skillful behavior by allowing individuals to use alternative planning strategies for appropriate management of social situations and mediation of conflicts.