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Article
The Infuence of Context Representations on Cognitive Control States
Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications
  • Reem Alzihabi, Kettering University
  • Erika Hussey
  • Nathan Ward
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Abstract

Cognitive control operates via two distinct mechanisms, proactive and reactive control. These control states are engaged differentially, depending on a number of within-subject factors, but also between-group variables. While research has begun to explore if shifts in control can be experimentally modulated, little is known about whether context impacts which control state is utilized. Thus, we test if contextual factors temporarily bias the use of a particular control state long enough to impact performance on a subsequent task. Our methodology involves two parts: first participants are exposed to a context manipulation designed to promote proactive or reactive processing through amount or availability of advanced preparation within a task-switching paradigm. Then, they complete an AX-CPT task, where we assess immediate transfer on preferential adoption of one control mode over another. We present results from a Pilot Study that revealed anecdotal evidence of proactive versus reactive processing for a context manipulation using long and short preparation times. We also present data from a follow-up Registered Experiment that implements a context manipulation using long or no preparation times to assess if a more extreme context leads to pronounced differences on AX-CPT performance. Together, the results suggest that contextual representations do not impact the engagement of a particular control state, but rather, there is a general preference for the engagement of proactive control.

Disciplines
DOI
10.1186/s41235-022-00443-0
Rights

© The Author(s) 2022. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Citation Information
Reem Alzihabi, Erika Hussey and Nathan Ward. "The Infuence of Context Representations on Cognitive Control States" Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications Vol. 7 Iss. 93 (2022) p. 1 - 12 ISSN: 23657464
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/reem-alzahabi/1/