NPSY 22b Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Cartesian Theater, Prefrontal Cortex, Daniel Dennett
6 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
The process that allows information processing and behavior to vary adaptively from moment to moment depending on current goals (multiple goals active at any one moment, must make choices) rather than remaining rigid and inflexible. Memory- changes in environment cannot be adapted to without memory. Attention- can selectively shift depending on a current goal. Learning- changing your behavior during a tennis serve to get better. Cc allows us to use our perceptions, knowledge and goals to bias selection of action and thoughts among multiple alternatives. Cc allows us to override automatic thoughts and behaviors (not be a slave to the environment, inhibit prepotent (default) responses) Driving along, hear sound, prepotent response is to look to sound, but inhibit response. Implicates learning/updating of information about enviornment and consequences of behavior. Cc imparts flexibility, letting us think and act in novel. creative ways. Good cognitive control, consider what a human executive has to do.
