Set 6 behavioral context

Prefrontal cortex (PFC)

Executive control center integrating cognition emotion and behavior

• pfc operations are taxing

Executive functions

Higher-order processes including planning decision-making impulse control and working memory

Working memory

Temporary storage and manipulation of information for tasks

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)

Logical reasoning decision-making and cognitive control “Spock-like”

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC)

Integrates emotion and value from limbic inputs for decision-making

Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)

Evaluates rewards punishments and guides adaptive decisions

PFC-emotion interaction

PFC both regulates and is influenced by emotional systems like the amygdala

Amygdala (low road)

Fast automatic emotional response via thalamus without conscious processing

Amygdala (high road)

Slower processed emotional response involving cortex and interpretation

Startle response

Immediate reflexive reaction occurring before conscious interpretation

Cognitive load theory

Limited mental resources cause performance decline when overloaded

Cognitive load

Total demand placed on working memory and attention systems

Working memory load effect

Higher load increases distraction and errors

Attention

PFC-guided allocation of cognitive resources to relevant stimuli

Selective attention

Ability to focus on relevant stimuli while ignoring distractions

Default mode network

Brain network active during rest internal thought and mind-wandering

Attention vs default mode

External attention and internal thought systems compete for resources

Superior colliculus

Subcortical structure directing eye movements and attentional shifts

Pulvinar (thalamus)

Regulates visual attention and sensory filtering

• has many distinct cortical projections (across the brain)

V1, V2, V4, and IT project to pulvinar, which projects back to visual cortices
(pulvinar-cortical loop)

Top-down control

PFC-driven regulation of attention and perception

Bottom-up processing

Stimulus-driven attention capture by salient inputs

Ventral stream

Visual “what” pathway for object recognition

Dorsal stream

Visual “where” pathway for spatial processing

Priming

Exposure to stimuli influences behavior without conscious awareness

Emotion influence on decision-making

Emotions bias perception judgment and PFC processing

Neurotransmitters influence

Chemical signaling affects cognition mood and decision-making

Sleep deprivation effect

Reduces PFC efficiency leading to poor decisions and attention

Hunger effect

Impairs decision-making and increases focus on basic needs

Stress effect

Alters PFC function and shifts behavior toward survival responses

Self-control depletion

Reduced PFC resources lead to impulsive or dishonest behavior

Dishonesty study finding

People are more likely to cheat when cognitively depleted

Judge decision fatigue

Favorable decisions decrease over time and reset after breaks (food/rest)

Energy consumption in cognition

High-level thinking consumes large metabolic resources

Homeostasis

Physiological balance achieved by reallocating energy across systems

Immune activation effect

Illness diverts energy away from cognition to immune processes

Maslow hierarchy link

Basic needs must be met before higher cognition functions optimally

Subcortical attentional control

Automatic attention driven by structures like amygdala and thalamus

Emotion characteristics

Rapid automatic physiological and behavioral responses

Emotion vs cognition

Emotion is fast automatic and physiological while cognition is slower and deliberative

Behavioral influence factors

Emotion environment experience physiology and social context shape behavior