Audiffren Michel, André Nathalie, Baumeister Roy F
Research Centre on Cognition and Learning, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
Front Neurosci. 2022 Apr 28;16:699817. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.699817. eCollection 2022.
The integrative model of effortful control presented in a previous article aimed to specify the neurophysiological bases of mental effort. This model assumes that effort reflects three different inter-related aspects of the same adaptive function. First, a mechanism anchored in the salience network that makes decisions about the effort that should be engaged in the current task in view of costs and benefits associated with the achievement of the task goal. Second, a top-down control signal generated by the mechanism of effort that modulates neuronal activity in brain regions involved in the current task to filter pertinent information. Third, a feeling that emerges in awareness during effortful tasks and reflects the costs associated with goal-directed behavior. The aim of the present article is to complete this model by proposing that the capacity to exert effortful control can be improved through training programs. Two main questions relative to this possible strengthening of willpower are addressed in this paper. The first question concerns the existence of empirical evidence that supports gains in effortful control capacity through training. We conducted a review of 63 meta-analyses that shows training programs are effective in improving performance in effortful tasks tapping executive functions and/or self-control with a small to large effect size. Moreover, physical and mindfulness exercises could be two promising training methods that would deserve to be included in training programs aiming to strengthen willpower. The second question concerns the neural mechanisms that could explain these gains in effortful control capacity. Two plausible brain mechanisms are proposed: (1) a decrease in effort costs combined with a greater efficiency of brain regions involved in the task and (2) an increase in the value of effort through operant conditioning in the context of high effort and high reward. The first mechanism supports the hypothesis of a strengthening of the capacity to exert effortful control whereas the second mechanism supports the hypothesis of an increase in the motivation to exert this control. In the last part of the article, we made several recommendations to improve the effectiveness of interventional studies aiming to train this adaptive function.""James (1918, p. 127).
前一篇文章中提出的努力控制整合模型旨在明确心理努力的神经生理基础。该模型假设努力反映了同一适应功能的三个不同但相互关联的方面。首先，一个基于突显网络的机制，鉴于与任务目标达成相关的成本和收益，对当前任务应投入的努力做出决策。其次，努力机制产生的自上而下的控制信号，调节参与当前任务的脑区的神经元活动，以过滤相关信息。第三，在努力任务期间出现在意识中的一种感觉，反映与目标导向行为相关的成本。本文的目的是通过提出可以通过训练计划提高施加努力控制的能力来完善这个模型。本文讨论了与这种可能的意志力增强相关的两个主要问题。第一个问题涉及是否存在支持通过训练提高努力控制能力的实证证据。我们对63项元分析进行了综述，结果表明训练计划在提高涉及执行功能和/或自我控制的努力任务的表现方面是有效的，效应大小从小到中到大。此外，体育锻炼和正念练习可能是两种有前景的训练方法，值得纳入旨在增强意志力的训练计划中。第二个问题涉及可以解释这些努力控制能力提高的神经机制。提出了两种合理的大脑机制：(1)努力成本的降低以及参与任务的脑区效率的提高，(2)在高努力和高奖励的背景下通过操作性条件作用增加努力的价值。第一种机制支持努力控制能力增强的假设，而第二种机制支持施加这种控制的动机增加的假设。在文章的最后一部分，我们提出了一些建议，以提高旨在训练这种适应功能的干预研究的有效性。“詹姆斯（1918年，第127页）。
