Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: In this chapter, we tested the hypothesis that cognitive control facilitates goal pursuit in decision making.In two studies we investigated the relation between individual differences in the three cognitive control components (i.e., updating, switching, and inhibition) and decision strategies and outcomes in a "Beads-in-a-Jar" task.In this task, participants have to decide from which of two jars a sequence of colored beads is drawn.In each round, beads are drawn from a jar with 60 purple and 40 green beads, or a jar with 40 purple and 60 green beads.In a fixed time period, participants played several rounds of the Beads-in-a-Jar task, in which they could request additional beads until ready to decide.Participants performed the task with either an accuracy or an efficiency goal in mind.In Study 2.1 we induced the goal to be efficient and found that higher levels of cognitive control were related to requesting fewer beads and making more correct decisions.More specifically, only the cognitive control component updating was involved in the effects.In Study 2.2 we manipulated task goal (accuracy versus efficiency) between participants.Both studies show that updating ability, but not inhibition or switching ability, is related to strategies and outcomes in line with a task goal, explaining how cognitive control might be related to enhanced decision making.
Author: E.W.M. Rondeel
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1492412181