cognitive control - [[conflict monitoring neural processes]] - [[self-control]], [[self-regulation]] - often synonymous with [[executive function]] - [[control-theoretic setting]] - [[behavioral control modulation]] - [[costs of physical effort]], [[costs and benefits of exerting mental effort and control]] # Idea Control is the optimal parameterization of task processing [[Botvinick 2014 computational and neural basis of cognitive control|(Botvinick & Cohen, 2014)]]. It is a tuning process, whereby parameters are dynamically adjusted to suit current task demands. However, how do we (or the systems) know what parameters should exist to begin with? The control system's goal is to find an efficient but flexible way of representing a wide range of task parameters, given a distribution of naturally occurring situations [[Botvinick 2014 computational and neural basis of cognitive control|(Botvinick & Cohen, 2014)]]. From a [[guided activation theory]] perspective, [[cognitive control]] differs from [[learning]] because control involves the activation of a set of established representations, whose effect is to transiently adapt the parameters of information processing elsewhere in the system in the service of performing a particular task [[Botvinick 2014 computational and neural basis of cognitive control|(Botvinick & Cohen, 2014)]]—it's process parameterization. Attentional processes that allow behavior to flexibly vary from moment to moment based on current goals. It's the flexible allocation of attention in the service of goal-directed behavior in the face of more habitual or immediately compelling behaviors. It refers to the set of functions serving to configure the cognitive system for performing specific tasks, especially in challenging and non-routine situations [[Botvinick 2004 conflict monitoring and ACC - an update|(Botvinick et al., 2004)]]. Processes that demand cognitive control are distinguished from [[automatic processes]], which involve associations that are sufficiently strong as to be resistant to distraction or interference [[Shenhav 2013 expected value of control ACC theory|(Shenhav et al., 2013)]]. Classic examples include the [[Stroop task]]. The [[expected value of control]] theory views cognitive control as the set of mechanisms that help to configure behavior to maximize reward attainment (i.e., a [[reinforcement learning]] perspective). From a normative perspective ([[normative theory]]), the question is what are the optimal mechanisms for performing a given function. # References - [[Inzlicht 2020 integrating models of self-regulation]]