Integrating Fast and Slow Cognitive Processes

Date

2010-08

Authors

Kennedy, William, G.
Bugjska, Magdalena

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

International Conference on Cognitive Modeling

Abstract

Human reactions appear to be controlled by two separate types of mental processes: one fast, automatic, and unconscious and the other slow, deliberate, and conscious. With the attention in the literature focused on the taxonomy of the two processes, there is little discussion of how they interact. In this paper, we focus on modeling the slower process’s ability to inhibit the fast process. We present computational cognitive models in which different strategies allow a human to consciously inhibit an undesirable fast response. These general strategies include (a) blocking sensory input, (b), blocking or interrupting the fast process’s response, and (c) slowing down or delaying processing by introducing additional task. Furthermore, we discuss an approach to learning such strategies based on the inference of the causes and effects of the fast process.

Description

Keywords

Impulse control, Social behavior, Inhibition, Dual processes

Citation

Kennedy, William G. and Bugjska, Magdalena (2010) Integrating Fast and Slow Cognitive Processes. Proceedings of the International Conference on Cognitive Modeling, pp 121-126, Philadelphia, PA. 6-8 Aug 2010.