An integrative framework of conflict and control

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

People regularly encounter various types of conflict. Here, we ask if, and, if so, how, different types of conflict, from lab-based Stroop conflicts to everyday-life self-control or moral conflicts, are related to one other. We present a framework that assumes that action–goal representations are hierarchically organized, ranging from concrete actions to abstract goals. The framework's key assumption is that conflicts involving more abstract goals (e.g., self-control/moral conflict) are embedded in a more complex action space; thus, to resolve such conflicts, people need to consider more associated goals and actions. We discuss how differences in complexity impact conflict resolution mechanisms and the costs/benefits of resolving conflicts. Altogether, we offer a new way to conceptualize and analyze conflict regulation across different domains.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)757-768
Number of pages12
JournalTrends in cognitive sciences
Volume28
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-0915-0809/work/165454019

Keywords

Keywords

  • cognitive control, complexity, conflict, conflict resolution, moral decision making, self-control