Which term describes the ability to adapt behavior in response to changing demands?

• A. Cognitive flexibility
• B. Processing speed
• C. Phonological processing
• D. Motor planning

Answer: (A)

Adapting behavior in response to changing demands is cognitive flexibility. This part of executive function lets you switch strategies, adjust plans, and consider different perspectives when goals or rules shift. In a learning context, it helps a student change approaches when a task changes—for example, shifting from decoding to summarizing, or altering tactics when instructions vary.

Processing speed is about how quickly you take in and respond to information, not how you adapt strategies. Phonological processing involves recognizing and manipulating sounds in language, which is essential for decoding but doesn’t describe changing behavior to new demands. Motor planning concerns organizing and carrying out movements. So cognitive flexibility best captures the ability to adjust behavior as demands change.