The interplay of hot and cool executive functions: Implications for a unified executive framework

Executive functions (EFs) are integral to emotion regulation, yet current models often overlook the interactions between hot and cool EFs. This study aimed to develop a new framework by incorporating both hot and cool EF constructs. A sample of 150 participants (18–58 years, M = 25.87; SD = 7.48) completed assessments of hot EF (Iowa Gambling Task, Columbia Card Task, and the Understanding Emotions branch of the MSCEIT) and cool EF (Digit Span, N-Back, Keep Track, Modified Card Sorting Task, Colour-Shape Task, and Stop-Signal Task). A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested a three-factor model: hot EF, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Results partially supported this structure: while a robust working memory factor emerged and the hot EF construct was upheld, albeit with weaker loadings, item loadings for the cognitive flexibility factor were non-significant, indicating inadequate measurement. The hot EF and working memory latent factors were shown to be significantly related, supporting notions that hot and cool EFs interact. Subsequent regression analyses revealed that only the cognitive flexibility factor significantly predicted planning performance on later, more difficult Tower of Hanoi trials. This pattern suggests that demanding planning tasks appear to rely particularly on the cognitive flexibility aspect of avoiding perseverative errors—a relationship largely driven by the MCST. However, because the cognitive flexibility factor was generally weakly measured, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Ultimately, integrating hot EF into EF assessments remains essential, yet existing hot EF tasks must be further refined to more accurately reflect real-world executive demands.