According to the dual mechanism of cognitive control theory, executive processes can be proactive when there is effort to monitor the context and control is implemented from before an imperative event occur, or reactive if control processes only take place after the appearance of the imperative event. During childhood, the coordination of both types of control protractedly evolve from more reactive towards a more proactive.In adults, a relationship between increased use of proactive control and fluid intelligence has been observed. In the current study, we examined whether the dynamics of executive control vary in children who differ in fluid intelligence. We employed the AX–CPT paradigm together with ERP registration to examine behavioral and brain dynamics of proactive and reactive control, including processes of anticipation, conflict monitoring and inhibition. Children with higher fluid intelligence showed better behavioral indices of proactive control, together with increased brain preparation to response cues and increased subsequent inhibition costs when the response was finally not required. This suggests that fluid intelligence in childhood is related to the capacity to implement a more proactive strategy even when executive control is not yet fully developed.

根据认知控制理论的双重机制，当需要努力监视上下文并从命令事件发生之前实施控制时，执行过程可以是主动的；如果控制过程仅在命令事件出现之后进行，则执行过程可以是反应性的。在儿童时期，这两种控制的协调性都从反应性向积极性长期发展。在成年人中，观察到主动控制的增加与体液智力之间的关系。在当前的研究中，我们检查了流体智力不同的儿童中执行控制的动力学是否有所不同。我们将AX–CPT范例与ERP注册一起使用，以检查主动和反应性控制的行为和大脑动力学，包括预期过程，冲突监控和抑制。体液智力较高的儿童表现出更好的主动控制行为指标，同时增加了对反应线索的大脑准备，并且在最终不需要反应时增加了随后的抑制成本。这表明即使在执行控制尚未完全发展的情况下，儿童期的流动智力与实施更积极策略的能力有关。