Commentary: Neural Changes Associated with Treatment Outcome in Children with Externalizing Problems

Commentary: Executive functioning—a key construct for understanding developmental psychopathology or a ‘catch-all’ term in need of some rethinking?

“…Prior writings (Rice and Hoffman, 2014 ; Rice, 2016a , b , c ) develop the conceptualization of implicit emotion regulation through analogies with defense mechanisms. Observed similarities between “hot” executive functions, implicit emotion regulation, and a contemporary understanding of defense mechanisms (Rice, 2016b ) facilitates a more textured understanding of executive functions.…”

“…Prior writings (Rice and Hoffman, 2014 ; Rice, 2016a , b , c ) develop the conceptualization of implicit emotion regulation through analogies with defense mechanisms. Observed similarities between “hot” executive functions, implicit emotion regulation, and a contemporary understanding of defense mechanisms (Rice, 2016b ) facilitates a more textured understanding of executive functions. Articulation and analysis of the differences between these three conceptualizations of different fields and frameworks performed in tandem with reflection upon their similarities yields an opportunity to develop our understanding of all three concepts in the pursuit of a more nuanced understanding of developmental psychopathology.…”