Task-based inhibitory control (Stop Signal Task) improves curvilinearly from ages 11 to 15, with growth slowing around middle adolescence¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2019 · checked against its sources 2026-10-20 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person · overdue for a recheck since 2024: baselines and conditions change

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Latent growth curve models showed SSRT declined linearly and quadratically across ages 11–15, indicating curvilinear improvement in task-based inhibitory control with growth slowing around middle adolescence. → Fosco 2019 q3 i? There were significant individual differences in both initial levels and rate of change of task-based inhibitory control, and worse inhibitory control at age 11 was associated with a steeper rate of improvement. → Fosco 2019

Evidence¶

Fosco 2019¶

Fosco, W. D., Hawk, L. W. Jr., Colder, C. R., Meisel, S. N., & Lengua, L. J. (2019). The development of inhibitory control in adolescence and prospective relations with delinquency. Journal of Adolescence. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.08.008

q3 · i? · associational · r2

Latent growth curve modeling of three annual Stop Signal Task assessments in a community sample of 387 adolescents (96% retention Waves 1–3), with age centered at 11. The model showed "the average SSRT at age 11 was 206 ms" with significant linear and quadratic decline; significant intercept (σ2 = 3841, p<.001) and slope (σ2 = 236, p=.023) variance indicated individual differences in level and change.

"the average SSRT at age 11 was 206 ms and showed both a linear, b=−39 ms, p<.001, and quadratic decline across age, b=5 ms, p<.001"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Child IQ, sex, and parental income do not predict initial levels or growth of task-based inhibitory control — related
• Lower inhibitory control in early adolescence predicts greater increases in delinquency from middle adolescence to emerging adulthood — related
• Rate of growth in task-based inhibitory control is unrelated to later delinquent behavior — related
• Parent-reported inhibitory control (EATQ-R) shows no detectable growth from early to middle adolescence — related
• Performance on inhibitory control measures improves with age, with some tasks reaching performance plateaus beginning around 4 years of age — related
• Reactive inhibition speed and accuracy improve with age between 8 and 11 years, while proactive response slowing does not increase with age — related
• Average and superior children develop at different levels and grow increasingly dissimilar with age, with superior children showing adolescent mental acceleration about one year earlier — related