Affective modulation of cognitive control: A biobehavioral perspective

Abstract

One important function of cognitive control is to continuously adapt the cognitive system to changes in situational demands. This chapter discusses how affective and motivational states drive this control function as evidenced by behavior and neural trial-to-trial adaptations in experimental conflict tasks (such as the Stroop task). A theoretical framework is then described that addresses how affective signals might be instrumental in behavioral adjustments to cognitively demanding situations. The basic assumption is that demanding situations trigger a negative, aversive state. The resulting aversive affect may help to subsequently mobilize cognitive effort. Furthermore, affect introduced during demanding tasks may modulate demand-driven effort mobilization in an affect-congruent way. At the neural level, affect might regulate cognitive control via subcortical areas modulating the prefrontal cortex. The need for allocating additional cognitive control may be signaled by medial parts of the prefrontal cortex, in particular the anterior cingulate cortex. After reviewing evidence for the hedonic marking of conflict, recent findings from studies using affect-induction paradigms are discussed. Effects of short-term and sustained affect as well as stress and depression are described. Neuroimaging studies that hint at the role of fronto-striatal interactions in the affective regulation of cognitive control are also discussed. The proposed integrated account emphasizes the functional role of both positive and negative emotions in the behavioral and neural adaptation of cognitive control. This work provides new insights in the biobehavioral basis of a wide range of other phenomena where affect plays a critical role in adaptive behavior and self-regulation.