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Cited by 141Embodied and Extended CognitionNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesCognitive Science and Education Research

Thinking as the control of imagination: a conceptual framework for goal-directed systems

Pezzulo, Giovanni, Castelfranchi, Cristiano·2009·Psychological Research Psychologische Forschung
DOI 10.1007/s00426-009-0237-z
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Abstract

This paper offers a conceptual framework which (re)integrates goal-directed control, motivational processes, and executive functions, and suggests a developmental pathway from situated action to higher level cognition. We first illustrate a basic computational (control-theoretic) model of goal-directed action that makes use of internal modeling. We then show that by adding the problem of selection among multiple action alternatives motivation enters the scene, and that the basic mechanisms of executive functions such as inhibition, the monitoring of progresses, and working memory, are required for this system to work. Further, we elaborate on the idea that the off-line re-enactment of anticipatory mechanisms used for action control gives rise to (embodied) mental simulations, and propose that thinking consists essentially in controlling mental simulations rather than directly controlling behavior and perceptions. We conclude by sketching an evolutionary perspective of this process, proposing that anticipation leveraged cognition, and by highlighting specific predictions of our model.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00426-009-0237-z

Cites

19 of 19 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • The phylogenetic progression from primitive homeostatic control to goal-directed control rests on the hierarchical elaboration of more primitive architectures.

    “This phylogenetic progression rests on the hierarchical elaboration of more primitive architectures (Cisek and Kalaska, 2010, Pezzulo and Castelfranchi, 2009).”

    From Active Inference, homeostatic regulation and adaptive behavioural control (2015) · cites this paper as Pezzulo and Castelfranchi, 2009

  • The autonomisation of goals from primary drives is a key feature of higher animals like humans and becomes more evident in pathological conditions.

    “The ‘autonomisation’ of goals from primary drives is a key feature of higher animals like humans (Pezzulo and Castelfranchi, 2009) and becomes more evident in pathological conditions, where certain goals such as gambling can become pathological and maladaptive (Montague et al., 2012).”

    From Active Inference, homeostatic regulation and adaptive behavioural control (2015) · cites this paper as Pezzulo and Castelfranchi, 2009

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Authors
Pezzulo, G., & Castelfranchi, C.
Affiliations
  • Institute for Computational Linguistics “A. Zampolli” (IT)
  • Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (IT)
Corresponding author
  • Pezzulo, Giovanni
  • Castelfranchi, Cristiano
ORCID
Venue
Psychological Research Psychologische Forschung
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2009-04-04
Volume
73
Issue
4
Pages
559-577
ISSN
  • 0033-3026 (ISSN-L)
  • 0340-0727
  • 1430-2772
DOI
10.1007/s00426-009-0237-z
OpenAlex
W2002423417
Cited by
141
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 6
FWCI
4.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Psychological Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Cognitive Science and Education Research
Keywords
goal-directed action, executive function, motivation, control-theoretic model, action selection, inhibition, working memory, progress monitoring, mental simulation, imagination, anticipation, cognitive development, situated action
MeSH terms
Animals, Attention, Culture, Decision Making, Goals, Higher Nervous Activity, Humans, Imagination, Inhibition, Psychological, Memory, Short-Term, Motivation, Problem Solving, Psychomotor Performance, Thinking, Neural Networks, Computer, Intention

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