Final answer:
The group of executive department heads who advise the president is called the Cabinet, composed of the vice president and the heads of the 15 executive departments. These officials are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, serving as advisors and policy implementers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of executive department heads who advise the president is known as the Cabinet. This body consists of the vice president and the heads of the 15 executive departments, which include the Department of State, Treasury, Defense, Education, and Labor, among others. The heads of these departments, apart from the Justice Department (led by the Attorney General), are referred to as secretaries. They are appointed by the president and must be confirmed by the Senate. Their primary role is to advise the president on issues related to their departments and assist with the implementation of presidential policies. Over time, the cabinet has also come to symbolize the diversity of America, with presidents often selecting members based on ability, expertise, influence, reputation, and demographics - a concept of a representative bureaucracy.