Cognitive Psychology: ACC and Rule-Switching

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the role of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) in tasks?

It responds primarily with errors only, without monitoring.

It predicts activity in the lateral PFC based on conflict. (correct)

It is solely responsible for color-naming tasks.

It has no role in decision-making processes.

Which symptom is displayed by lateral PFC patients during rule-switching tasks?

Increased speed in changing rules.

Difficulty in tasks that require monitoring.

Enhanced cognitive flexibility.

Perseveration, or getting stuck on a rule. (correct)

What is the relationship between the ACC and the Stroop Effect?

ACC aids word reading in color-naming tasks.

ACC activity decreases automated processes.

ACC activity indicates conflict in tasks with novel demands. (correct)

ACC is irrelevant to the Stroop Effect.

How does the Right Inferior Prefrontal Cortex contribute to action control?

It connects with subthalamic nucleus for inhibitory control. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Error-Related Negativity (ERN) in cognitive tasks?

It indicates errors but also other monitoring tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What does the possibility of rule-switching suggest about cognitive flexibility?

Inability to switch rules indicates rigid thinking. Signup and view all the answers

In decision-making, what role does the lateral PFC play?

It aids in evaluating multiple rules and switching between them. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the Stroop Effect in cognitive psychology?

Automated word reading can disrupt attention on color tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Which brain region provides coding for motivation and value in decision-making?

Ventral Striatum Signup and view all the answers

What role does the VTA (Ventral Tegmental Area) play in the dopamine system?

It signals changes in information. Signup and view all the answers

Which network is associated with cognitive factors in decision-making?

Salience network Signup and view all the answers

What is a key function of the vmPFC (ventromedial prefrontal cortex) in decision-making?

Encoding subjective value Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of cognitive control is NOT primarily associated with frontal lobe structures?

Emotional Regulation Signup and view all the answers

What does Expected Value represent in decision-making?

The average reward of a probabilistic process Signup and view all the answers

Which system in the Dual System Model of Cognition is 'fast, parallel, automatic, and context-dependent'?

System 1 Signup and view all the answers

What key psychological principle is known for explaining decreased sensitivity to differences as the total amount increases?

Weber-Fechner Law Signup and view all the answers

In Rational Choice Theory, which of the following assumptions is made about people?

They are fully informed and rational Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is associated with dopaminergic pathways important for valuing rewards?

Ventral Tegmental Area Signup and view all the answers

What happens to dopamine release when a reward matches expectations?

Remains unchanged Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive state is linked to emotionally guided decisions in the Dual System Model?

Hot cognition Signup and view all the answers

How is Expected Value calculated?

Probability multiplied by utility Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of dopamine in the context of decision-making and valuation?

It acts as a signal for reward Signup and view all the answers

Which process does Rational Choice Theory imply individuals engage in?

Maximizing expected value Signup and view all the answers

Which brain region is primarily associated with executive control?

Pre-Frontal Cortex Signup and view all the answers

The function of cognitive control is largely characterized as domain-general because it is:

Slow and attentionally demanding Signup and view all the answers

What does rule-switching in cognitive control involve?

Adapting to new instructions held in working memory Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the brain is NOT considered part of the prefrontal cortex?

Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) Signup and view all the answers

Understanding the hierarchical model of lateral prefrontal cortex involves recognizing that:

Increased cognitive complexity occurs from posterior to anterior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following functions is included in goal-directed behavior?

Monitoring Progress Signup and view all the answers

In the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, participants are required to match cards based on:

One of three hidden rules Signup and view all the answers

Cognitive inhibition is best described as the ability to:

Suppress inappropriate actions Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of domain-specific processing?

Fast processing with little conscious awareness Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is involved in behavioral control through the basal ganglia?

Caudate Nucleus Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive control function does planning primarily rely on?

Goal Maintenance Signup and view all the answers

The lateral prefrontal cortex is particularly relevant for:

Cognitive Task Context Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of domain-general processing?

Working memory tasks Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of reward prediction error (RPE) in the Temporal Difference Learning Model?

It measures the difference between expected and actual rewards. Signup and view all the answers

Which brain regions are associated with System 1 cognition according to the Dual System Model?

Ventral striatum and orbital frontal cortex. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of delayed gratification, what does temporal discounting refer to?

The tendency to prefer immediate rewards over larger future rewards. Signup and view all the answers

How does damage to the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) influence temporal discounting?

It impairs the ability to assess the value of immediate rewards. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding the Marshmallow Experiment's findings is accurate?

High delayers exhibit greater differentiation in brain activity during decision-making tasks. Signup and view all the answers

Which system in the Dual System Model is primarily associated with evidence-based decision-making?

System 2: ‘Cool’ Signup and view all the answers

What brain activity is linked to the increased valuation of immediately available rewards?

Increased activation of the ventral striatum. Signup and view all the answers

Which component is primarily responsible for self-control in decision-making according to the Dual System Model?

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cognitive Control

Cognitive control involves higher-level processes that regulate thoughts and actions
This chapter delves into the brain regions supporting executive control
The "homunculus" problem raises questions about the 'self' or decision-making process in the mind

Cognitive Control Topics

Frontal lobe structures are vital for cognitive control
A hierarchical model explains how Lateral PFC (Prefrontal Cortex) processes information in a structured way
Task switching and rule switching are aspects of cognitive flexibility
Planning abilities are crucial for achieving goals
Working memory holds and manipulates information needed for current tasks
Cognitive inhibition helps us control and suppress inappropriate responses
Decision-making is a complex process involving weighing options and choosing the best course of action

Domain-Specific & Domain-General Processing

Domain-specific processing is fast and specialized to certain types of information
General-purpose processing is slower, but adaptive for diverse situations
Cognitive control functions are generally domain-general

Major Brain Regions

Pre-frontal cortex, including dl, vl, dm, vm regions is a key structure for executive control functions
Regions like anterior cingulate, posterior parietal cortex and dorsal/ventral striatum are involved as well
Parts of the cerebellum are also connected

Mammalian Neocortex

The human neocortex has a much larger surface area than a mouse's, despite similar thickness
White matter expands significantly in humans, particularly compared to other primates

Expansion of the Prefrontal Cortex

The prefrontal cortex plays a key role in higher-level cognition
Its size has evolved substantially in primates, particularly in humans
The frontal lobe of humans has a larger prefrontal cortex than other animals

Frontal Lobe Subdivisions

Prefrontal cortex is a portion of the frontal lobe in front of the motor and pre-motor cortex
Some regions such as SMA, PMC, Broca's areas aren't considered part of the prefrontal cortex
Other subdivisions include the lateral prefrontal, dorsal/ventral, frontal pole, medial frontal areas, anterior cingulate, ventromedial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex

Parceling the Brain Based on Connectivity

Studying brain connectivity helps delineate different cognitive networks
Many brain regions work together to execute cognitive functions
Different networks, such as visual, somatomotor, dorsal attention, ventral attention, limbic, frontoparietal and default networks have been identified

Basal Ganglia Control of Behavior

Basal ganglia participate in different functions (motor, prefrontal, and affective loops)
The anterior caudate is involved in prefrontal loop, influencing goal-directed behavior

Goal-Directed Behavior & Hierarchical Planning

Planning involves breaking down tasks into smaller steps
Task switching and maintaining goals are important elements of hierarchical planning
Monitoring progress through various stages is essential to achieve goals
This process helps in making decisions

Evidence for Hierarchy in Cognitive Control

Cognitive control processes increase in complexity from posterior to anterior regions in the Lateral PFC
Different brain areas in the frontal lobe are involved in different aspects of cognitive control

Rule Switching

Rule switching tasks assesses cognitive abilities
Cognitive set is the collection and maintenance of rules during tasks
The Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, is used to test rule switching abilities

Inferior Frontal Sulcus & Rule Switching

This area shows activity during rule switching on the WCST (Wisconsin Card Sorting Task)

Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)

ACC is the central area involved in executive attention
ACC shows activity in visual tasks
ACC is involved when expectations are violated

Stroop Effect

Word reading can interfere with naming the color of the word, demonstrating automatic processes
ACC and Anterior Cingulate Cortex are involved
Anterior Cingulate Cortex activity is involved when cognitive expectations are violated

ERN is hypothesized to originate in the anterior cingulate
It is elicited by errors in responses

Inhibitory Control of Action

Right inferior prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in inhibiting actions, notably during tasks where a response needs to be suppressed

How do we make decisions?

Decisions span various aspects of life - from simple choices to major life decisions
Evaluating possible outcomes (probability and value) is involved
Processing accumulates evidence to reach a decision

Rational Choice Theory

Rational Choice Theory assumes that individuals are fully informed, rational, and prioritize their best interest
Expected Value is the average reward from probabilistic situations.

Expected Value

Expected value is a method of calculating the average reward or outcome of a situation with probabilities of factors
This model is commonly used in economics and decision-making scenarios

Daniel Kahneman's Nobel Prize

Kahneman received a Nobel Prize for his research that integrated insights from psychology into economics, specifically regarding human judgments and decision-making under uncertainty

Prospect Theory

Dual System Model of Cognition

System 1 is fast, automatic, and context-dependent. It's associated with limbic circuitry and emotionally-guided decisions.
System 2 is slow, controlled, rational, and deliberate. It's connected to executive function
These two systems work together to shape our cognitive abilities

Delayed Gratification

Delayed gratification is the ability to resist immediate rewards for larger, later rewards
The marshmallow experiment studies this ability and links it to brain mechanisms, specifically the prefrontal cortex

Temporal Discounting

OFC Damage Impairs Temporal Discounting

Orbital frontal cortex (OFC) damage impacts the ability to evaluate the subjective value of rewards over time.

Marshmallow Experiment (fMRI 40 Years Later!)

Prefrontal cortex plays a significant role in differentiating between go/no-go trials, particularly among individuals who delayed gratification more effectively
Ventral Striatum engagement differs in those who delayed gratification differently in these trials

Decision Making Summary

Dopamine plays a crucial role in encoding value and motivation
Ventral Tegmental Area and ventral striatum provide signals not necessarily about the reward, but about changing information on the value of rewards
Different brain regions are involved in value-based and value-free decision-making

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the critical roles of brain regions such as the Anterior Cingulate Cortex and the lateral Prefrontal Cortex in cognitive tasks. This quiz delves into topics like the Stroop Effect, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making, inviting you to assess your understanding of these key concepts in cognitive psychology.