Why cognitive control matters in learning and decision-making

Jumping to Conclusions: Mechanisms of Cognitive Control in Decision-Making Under Uncertainty

Cognitive control encompasses mental processes that regulate thoughts and actions to achieve specific goals. It is essential in decision-making, facilitating attention management, impulse inhibition, and adaptation to new information-skills critical for rational choices, particularly under uncertainty. In jumping to conclusions (JTC), where individuals make premature decisions based on limited evidence, cognitive control deficits are often implicated. Cognitive stability helps maintain focus and resist distractions but may lead to premature conclusions if excessive. In contrast, cognitive flexibility supports adaptive decision-making by incorporating new information but may foster hasty decisions if insufficient. This study examined JTC and cognitive control mechanisms in 200 university students. Participants completed the Box Task under varied uncertainty conditions, tasks assessing stability (Flanker-Simon Task) and flexibility (Letter-Number Task), and the BIS/BAS questionnaire. Cluster analysis identified three evidence-gathering profiles: minimal, moderate, and extensive. Significant differences were found between clusters in both flexibility and stability, with individuals in the extensive evidence-gathering cluster showing superior cognitive control. However, higher uncertainty amplified the reliance on flexibility, highlighting its role in adapting to challenging conditions, while stability remained unaffected. No significant association emerged between BIS/BAS indices and Box Task performance. These findings emphasize the interplay between uncertainty, cognitive control, and decision-making, underscoring the need for further research to refine interventions targeting decision-making biases.