cognitive control
Definition
Cognitive control refers to the capacity to direct cognition and behavior towards desired objectives, particularly by overcoming prepotent behaviors that interfere with goal attainment. Metacontrol, a related construct, represents the strategic adjustment of cognitive control based on contextual demands, giving rise to two key metacontrol states: flexibility (prioritization of multiple goals and fluent transitions among them) and stability (shielding goals from distraction or interference). The dual-dimension framework proposes that flexibility and stability are assigned to separate dimensions, each capable of varying independently, thereby enabling a more fine-grained explanation of goal-directed information processing at the task-set level.
Sources: Nack & Yu-Chin (2023)
Related Terms
Applications
Cognitive Control and Metacontrol
Metacontrol refers to the strategic adjustment of cognitive control based on contextual demands, distinguishing contextual regulation of control from cognitive control itself. Metacontrol coordinates goal-directed information processing and gives rise to distinct metacontrol states such as cognitive flexibility and stability, which vary based on situational demands.
Sources: Nack & Yu-Chin (2023)
Cognitive Control and Task-set Shielding
Task-sets can be instantiated with strong or weak shielding against task-irrelevant stimuli. Strong shielding of task-sets produces cognitive stability, while weak shielding enables flexibility, illustrating how the degree of task-set shielding fundamentally determines cognitive control processes.
Sources: Nack & Yu-Chin (2023)
