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The neurodynamics underlying attentional control in set shifting tasks

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Abstract

In this work we address key phenomena observed with classical set shifting tasks as the “Wisconsin Card Sorting Test” or the “Stroop” task: Different types of errors and increased response times reflecting decreased attention. A component of major importance in these tasks is referred to as the “attentional control” thought to be implemented by the prefrontal cortex which acts primarily by an amplification of task relevant information. This mode of operation is illustrated by a neurodynamical model developed for a new kind of set shifting experiment: The Wisconsin-Delayed-Match-to-Sample task combines uninstructed shifts as investigated in Wisconsin-like tasks with a Delayed-Match-to-Sample paradigm. These newly developed WDMS experiments in conjunction with the neurodynamical simulations are able to explain the reason for decreased attention in set shifting experiments as well the different consequences of decreased attention in tasks requiring bivalent yes/no responses compared to tasks requiring multivalent responses.

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Notes

  1. Similar to Konishi et al. (1999) and Nakahara et al. (2002) who considered a new rule to be established after three correct trials.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the ‘Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft’ (DFG), Project Number FOR 480/1-1. Very special thanks are directed to Werner X. Schneider, University of Munich, Department Psychology for valuable discussion and advise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Psychologie, LMU Munich, Leopoldstr. 13, Munich, 80802, Germany

    Anja Stemme & Astrid Busch

  2. Computational Neuroscience, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Passeig de Circumvallació 8, Barcelona, 08003, Spain

    Gustavo Deco

Authors
  1. Anja Stemme
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  2. Gustavo Deco
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  3. Astrid Busch
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Correspondence to Anja Stemme.

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Stemme, A., Deco, G. & Busch, A. The neurodynamics underlying attentional control in set shifting tasks. Cogn Neurodyn 1, 249–259 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11571-007-9019-8

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