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A computational perspective on the roles of affect in cognitive control
Ivan Grahek1, Sebastian Musslick2, Amitai Shenhav3
1Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
Summary
This study models how emotions impact cognitive control using the Expected Value of Control (EVC) framework. Findings show distinct predictions for how integral and incidental affect influence task performance and control allocation.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Affective Science
Background:
- Cognitive control is influenced by both integral and incidental affect.
- Mechanisms underlying affect-control interactions lack formalization for quantitative testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To formalize affect-control interaction mechanisms using the Expected Value of Control (EVC) model.
- To generate testable predictions for how affect influences cognitive control allocation.
Main Methods:
- Leveraged the EVC model, which weighs costs and benefits to determine control allocation.
- Simulated different accounts of how integral and incidental affect impact EVC components (perceived difficulty, effort, utility).
Main Results:
- Each simulated account of affect's influence yielded dissociable predictions.
- Predictions relate to affect's impact on control allocation and performance measures (e.g., conflict adaptation, switch costs).
Conclusions:
- Provides a quantitative framework for studying affect-control interactions.
- Offers a method to empirically test and refute specific theoretical accounts of affect's influence on cognitive control.
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