Cited by 127Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesFree Will and AgencyNeurobiology of Language and Bilingualism

Dissociable Brain Mechanisms Underlying the Conscious and Unconscious Control of Behavior

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van Gaal, Simon, Lamme, Victor A. F., Fahrenfort, Johannes J., Ridderinkhof, K. Richard·2011·Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience

Abstract

Cognitive control allows humans to overrule and inhibit habitual responses to optimize performance in challenging situations. Contradicting traditional views, recent studies suggest that cognitive control processes can be initiated unconsciously. To further capture the relation between consciousness and cognitive control, we studied the dynamics of inhibitory control processes when triggered consciously versus unconsciously in a modified version of the stop task. Attempts to inhibit an imminent response were often successful after unmasked (visible) stop signals. Masked (invisible) stop signals rarely succeeded in instigating overt inhibition but did trigger slowing down of response times. Masked stop signals elicited a sequence of distinct ERP components that were also observed on unmasked stop signals. The N2 component correlated with the efficiency of inhibitory control when elicited by unmasked stop signals and with the magnitude of slowdown when elicited by masked stop signals. Thus, the N2 likely reflects the initiation of inhibitory control, irrespective of conscious awareness. The P3 component was much reduced in amplitude and duration on masked versus unmasked stop trials. These patterns of differences and similarities between conscious and unconscious cognitive control processes are discussed in a framework that differentiates between feedforward and feedback connections in yielding conscious experience.

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Authors
van Gaal, S., Lamme, V. A. F., Fahrenfort, J. J., & Ridderinkhof, K. R.
Affiliations
University of Amsterdam (NL)
Venue
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
Publisher
MIT Press
Published
2011-01-01
Volume
23
Issue
1
Pages
91-105
ISSN
  • 0898-929X (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-8898
OpenAlex
W2105504300
Cited by
127
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 8
FWCI
5.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Universiteit van Amsterdam
  • Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Free Will and Agency
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
Keywords
cognitive control, inhibitory control, conscious awareness, stop-signal task, N2 component, P300, event-related potentials, response inhibition, response slowing, consciousness
MeSH terms
Analysis of Variance, Awareness, Brain, Brain Mapping, Consciousness, Electroencephalography, Female, Humans, Inhibition, Psychological, Male, Perceptual Masking, Photic Stimulation, Reaction Time, Statistics as Topic, Students, Universities, Signal Detection, Psychological, Event-Related Potentials, P300

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