Cool and hot executive functions at 5-years-old as predictors of physical and relational aggression between 5- and 6-years-old

To study the role of executive function (EF) in the early development of aggression, the role of cool and hot EF skills at 5 years-old in the development of physical and relational aggression between 5 and 6 years-old was explored. Typically-developing children (N = 80) completed tasks assessing their cool (inhibition, working memory, planning) and hot EF (affective decision making, delay of gratification) skills at 5-years-old. Longitudinal data were collected from teachers that rated children’s aggression when they were 5-, 5.5- and 6-years-old. Inhibitory control at 5-years-old predicted changes in physical and relational aggression between 5- and 6-years old. Early cool EF, but not hot EF, may therefore be associated with aggression and inhibitory control specifically with changes in aggression during early childhood