Uncertainty and Cognitive Control

Abstract

A growing trend of neuroimaging, behavioral, and computational research has investigated the topic of outcome uncertainty in decision-making. Although evidence to date indicates that humans are very effective in learning to adapt to uncertain situations, the nature of the specific cognitive processes involved in the adaptation to uncertainty are still a matter of debate. In this article, we reviewed evidence suggesting that cognitive control processes are at the heart of uncertainty in decision-making contexts. Available evidence suggests that: (1) There is a strong conceptual overlap between the constructs of uncertainty and cognitive control; (2) There is a remarkable overlap between the neural networks associated with uncertainty and the brain networks subserving cognitive control; (3) The perception and estimation of uncertainty might play a key role in monitoring processes and the evaluation of the “need for control”; (4) Potential interactions between uncertainty and cognitive control might play a significant role in several affective disorders.

Intra- and inter-individual variation in self-reported code-switching patterns of adult multilinguals

“…Some of these personality traits might share more or less variance with cognitive control processes and therefore, some of these processes could be mediating the association between personality traits and CS (reduced inhibition, poorer vigilance, uncertainty...) (Matthews, 2009;Mushtaq et al, 2011). A similar explanation might hold for the increased amount of CS with friends, as this is normally a more informal environment and cognitive control and performance monitoring might be reduced.…”

Generalized lapse of responding in trait impulsivity indicated by ERPs: The role of energetic factors in inhibitory control

“…They were seated in a comfortable chair in an acoustically and electrically shielded, dimly lit room. During the application of the electrodes they filled out two other questionnaires, the aim of which was to control the effect of two confounding personality dispositions, depression and anxiety, which could be present along with impulsivity, and could have an impact on the measured ERPs (Mushtaq et al, 2011;Potts et al, 2006). To assess disposition for depression, the Hungarian Beck Depression Inventory short version (BDI, Rózsa et al, 2001) was used, and to measure trait anxiety the Hungarian State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI, Sipos and Sipos, 1983) was administered.…”

The Change of Heterosexual Preference in Adolescents: Implications of Stress and Cognitive Regulation on Sexual Orientation

“…The PFC and related neuromodulatory approaches let humans to effectively handle complexities and uncertainties in the environment and predict future events and make appropriate decisions (Coutlee & Huettel, 2012;Mushtaq, Bland, & Schaefer, 2011). Some researchers focused on the organizing effect of prenatal sex steroid hormones and the key role of hypothalamus.…”