Model-based analyses: Promises, pitfalls, and example applications to the study of cognitive control

TY - JOUR

T1 - Model-based analyses: Promises, pitfalls, and example applications to the study of cognitive control

AU - Mars, RB

AU - Shea, NJ

AU - Kolling, N

AU - Rushworth, MF

N1 - PMCID: PMC3335278

PY - 2012/2

Y1 - 2012/2

N2 - We discuss a recent approach to investigating cognitive control, which has the potential to deal with some of the challenges inherent in this endeavour. In a model-based approach, the researcher defines a formal, computational model that performs the task at hand and whose performance matches that of a research participant. The internal variables in such a model might then be taken as proxies for latent variables computed in the brain. We discuss the potential advantages of such an approach for the study of the neural underpinnings of cognitive control and its pitfalls, and we make explicit the assumptions underlying the interpretation of data obtained using this approach.

AB - We discuss a recent approach to investigating cognitive control, which has the potential to deal with some of the challenges inherent in this endeavour. In a model-based approach, the researcher defines a formal, computational model that performs the task at hand and whose performance matches that of a research participant. The internal variables in such a model might then be taken as proxies for latent variables computed in the brain. We discuss the potential advantages of such an approach for the study of the neural underpinnings of cognitive control and its pitfalls, and we make explicit the assumptions underlying the interpretation of data obtained using this approach.

U2 - 10.1080/17470211003668272

DO - 10.1080/17470211003668272

M3 - Article

SN - 1747-0218

VL - 65

SP - 252

EP - 267

JO - The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

JF - The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology

IS - 2

ER -