Cited by 1,117Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorDecision-Making and Behavioral Economics

Conflict monitoring and decision making: Reconciling two perspectives on anterior cingulate function

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BOTVINICK, M. M.·2007·Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience

Abstract

According to one influential account, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) serves to monitor for conflicts in information processing. According to another influential account, the ACC monitors action outcomes and guides decision making. Both of these perspectives are supported by an abundance of data, making it untenable to reject one view in favor of the other. Instead, the apparent challenge is to discover how the two perspectives might fit together within a larger account. In the present article, we consider the prospects for such a reconciliation. Juxtaposing the conflict-monitoring and decision-making accounts suggests an extension of the conflict-monitoring theory, by which conflict would act as a teaching signal driving a form of avoidance learning. The effect of this mechanism would be to bias behavioral decision making toward cognitively efficient tasks and strategies. We discuss evidence favoring this proposal and present an initial computational model, which lays the foundation for further development.

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  • The brain areas examined have specific and recognized functional roles in appetitive food stimulus evaluation and choice but are not limited to performing such functions, so effects may extend beyond appetitive processes.

    “while these brain areas do have specific and recognized functional roles in the context of appetitive food stimulus evaluation and choice, as we examined using the current task, theses regions are not limited to performing such functions.”

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Authors
BOTVINICK, M. M.
Affiliations
Princeton University (US)
Corresponding author
BOTVINICK, M. M.
Venue
Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience
Published
2007-12-01
Volume
7
Issue
4
Pages
356-366
ISSN
  • 1530-7026 (ISSN-L)
  • 1531-135X
OpenAlex
W2110113299
Cited by
1,117
References
120
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 43 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 57 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 65 · 2019: 82 · 2018: 77 · 2017: 87 · 2016: 79 · 2015: 49 · 2014: 81 · 2013: 72 · 2012: 62
FWCI
16.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH-062196, P50MH062196)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
Keywords
anterior cingulate cortex, conflict monitoring, decision-making, avoidance learning, teaching signal, computational model, cognitive efficiency, behavioral decision making
MeSH terms
Animals, Avoidance Learning, Cognition, Conflict, Psychological, Decision Making, Humans, Self Concept, Prefrontal Cortex

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