A four-factor model of executive functioning: The relationship between personality, intelligence, and executive functioning

Executive functioning is commonly assessed in neuropsychological evaluations, however, the construct of executive functioning is widely defined and understood within the literature. Additionally, researchers have begun to examine the relationship between personality and executive functioning. The present study conducted an exploratory factor analysis using common measures of executive functioning. Results yielded a four-factor model. The Big Five personality traits were used to predict performance on executive functioning factors and intelligence was used as a moderator for this relationship. The present study adds to the literature by expanding upon previous studies examining the factor structure of executive functioning. Further, to our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate how intelligence may influence the relationship between personality and executive functioning