Dual Mechanisms of Control in Cognitive and Motor Aging

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Executive functions (EFs) encompass a variety of cognitive control processes implicated in complex activities such as multitasking and coordinated action. As such, EFs can influence the success or failure of activities of daily living in old age. The Dual Mechanisms of Control (DMC) theory (Braver et al., 2007) postulates two modes of cognitive control. In the Proactive mode, goal-relevant information is actively maintained in working memory, biasing attention to prevent interference. In the Reactive mode, when no task-relevant cues are available, control is recruited on a just-in-time basis. The DMC framework assumes that whereas reactive control is maintained in old age, proactive control declines. Presently, support for these assumptions is largely based upon simple keyboard reaction time tasks (AX-CPT, Stroop, Flanker).