Cognitive Control of Working Memory: A Model-Based Approach

Brain Sciences, vol. 11, pp. 721

Abstract

Working memory (WM)-based decision making depends on a number of cognitive control processes that control the flow of information into and out of WM and ensure that only relevant information is held active in WM's limited-capacity store. Although necessary for successful decision making, recent work has shown that these control processes impose performance costs on both the speed and accuracy of WM-based decisions. Using the reference-back task as a benchmark measure of WM control, we conducted evidence accumulation modeling to test several competing explanations for six benchmark empirical performance costs. Costs were driven by a combination of processes, running outside of the decision stage (longer non-decision time) and showing the inhibition of the prepotent response (lower drift rates) in trials requiring WM control. Individuals also set more cautious response thresholds when expecting to update WM with new information versus maintain existing information. We discuss the promise of this approach for understanding cognitive control in WM-based decision making.

Authors 6

1. Russell James Boag corresponding

   University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Integrative Model-Based Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2. Niek Stevenson Aachen Cognitive Psychology Unit Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition

   Leiden University · University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

   Integrative Model-Based Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands

3. Roel van Dooren Aachen Cognitive Psychology Unit Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

4. Anne C. Trutti Aachen Cognitive Psychology Unit Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition

   Leiden University · University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

   Integrative Model-Based Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands

5. Zsuzsika Sjoerds Aachen Cognitive Psychology Unit Institute of Psychology and Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology & Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands

6. Birte U. Forstmann

   University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Integrative Model-Based Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands