Conflict monitoring and anterior cingulate cortex: An update

Matthew M. Botvinick, Jonathan D. Cohen, Cameron S. Carter

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2830 Scopus citations

Abstract

One hypothesis concerning the human dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is that it functions, in part, to signal the occurrence of conflicts in information processing, thereby triggering compensatory adjustments in cognitive control. Since this idea was first proposed, a great deal of relevant empirical evidence has accrued. This evidence has largely corroborated the conflict-monitoring hypothesis, and some very recent work has provided striking new support for the theory. At the same time, other findings have posed specific challenges, especially concerning the way the theory addresses the processing of errors. Recent research has also begun to shed light on the larger function of the ACC, suggesting some new possibilities concerning how conflict monitoring might fit into the cingulate's overall role in cognition and action.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)539-546
Number of pages8
JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences
Volume8
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

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