The what and how components of cognitive control
Wouter De Baene1, Anke Marit Albers, Marcel Brass
1Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Wouter.DeBaene@ugent.be
Neuroimage
|July 7, 2012
Summary
Researchers identified distinct brain regions for the
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive flexibility allows adaptation to new situations.
- Brain areas for cognitive control are known, but their specific roles are unclear.
- Understanding the neural basis of cognitive control components is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate brain areas representing the 'what' (task goal) and 'how' (stimulus-response mapping) of cognitive control during task preparation.
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility.
Main Methods:
- Used an adaptation approach to isolate neural representations of task components.
- Manipulated repetition of task goals and stimulus-response mappings.
- Utilized fMRI to identify brain regions showing preferential adaptation.
Main Results:
- Left lateral prefrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and left posterior parietal cortex preferentially adapted to task goals ('what').
- Bilateral pre-central gyrus and intra-parietal lobule showed adaptation to stimulus-response mappings ('how').
- Broca's area and inferior frontal junction showed general adaptation to both components.
Conclusions:
- Distinct neural populations represent the 'what' and 'how' components of cognitive control.
- Specific brain regions, including the prefrontal and parietal cortex, are involved in representing task goals.
- The pre-central gyrus and intra-parietal lobule are implicated in representing stimulus-response mappings.
- Broca's area integrates both components of cognitive control.
Related Concept Videos
01:29The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Cognition plays a pivotal role in shaping emotional experiences, as demonstrated by Schachter and Singer’s two-factor theory of emotion. According to this model, emotion arises from a combination of physiological arousal and cognitive interpretation. The body’s physiological response to stimuli is ambiguous and only gains emotional significance through cognitive labeling. For instance, an increased heart rate and adrenaline surge while standing near an attractive person may be interpreted as...
01:17Cognitivism
Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process information is...
01:20Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology is the field of psychology dedicated to examining how people think. It attempts to explain how and why we think the way we do by studying the interactions among human thinking, emotion, creativity, language, and problem-solving, as well as other cognitive processes. Cognitive psychology studies how information is processed and manipulated in remembering, thinking, and knowing.
This field emerged in the mid-20th century, following a period dominated by behaviorism, which...
This field emerged in the mid-20th century, following a period dominated by behaviorism, which...
01:18Hierarchy of Motor Control
The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.
01:10Control Systems
Control systems are everywhere in contemporary society, influencing diverse applications from aerospace to automated manufacturing. These systems can be found naturally within biological processes, such as blood sugar regulation and heart rate adjustment in response to stress, as well as in man-made systems like elevators and automated vehicles. A control system is essentially a network of subsystems and processes that collaboratively convert specific inputs into desired outputs.
At the heart...
At the heart...
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...