Prof. Rene Huster, University of Oslo
Alodie Rey-Mermet
Claudia von Bastian
Christina Thunberg
Cognitive control is a cornerstone of both cognitive neuroscience and psychology, yet integrating neural data with robust psychological constructs remains an ongoing challenge.
Researchers have long recognized the need to bridge experimental and correlational approaches, but a full integration has proven elusive.
A central issue is whether our neuroscientific studies are built on solid psychometric ground.
Classic cognitive control tasks (Stroop, Flanker, etc.) yield robust experimental contrasts within individuals (such as slower responses on incongruent vs. congruent trials), but the size of these effects often lacks the stability required of markers of individual differences.
Low between-subject variability in such tasks can undermine test–retest reliability, obscuring brain–behavior correlations.
Some even question if a unified cognitive control trait exists to be measured.
This symposium offers a critical look at these challenges and the promises of moving forward.
We will discuss how overlooking psychometric principles in domain-specific neuroscience studies can lead to “unfruitful” findings and highlight emerging solutions.