# Comparison of executive functions in Russian and Japanese preschoolers

## TL;DR

This study compares executive functions like inhibition and cognitive flexibility in preschoolers from Russia and Japan, finding cultural influences on these skills.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into cultural differences in the development of executive functions in preschool children.

## Key findings

- Russian children showed higher cognitive flexibility and lower inhibition compared to Japanese children.
- Russian boys had lower inhibition levels than Japanese boys.
- Russian girls exhibited significantly higher cognitive flexibility and lower cognitive inhibition than Japanese girls.

## Abstract

This study analyzed differences in level of main executive function (EF) components (such as inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) among Russian and Japanese preschoolers. The study involved 102 children of 5–6.9 years old: 51 child from Russia and 51 child from Japan. Out of 102 children 48 were boys and 54 girls. It was found that the cognitive flexibility level in Russian children is higher and inhibition level is lower than in Japanese children. The results of the boys’ EF comparison showed that boys from Russia have lower cognitive and physical inhibition levels than boys from Japan. Also it was shown that cognitive flexibility in Russian girls is significantly higher and cognitive inhibition is lower than in Japanese girls. The results obtained are discussed from the point of view of possible cultural differences in the two countries studied, which are manifested in the expectations of adults from children.