Enabling self-control: A cognitive-affective processing system approach to problematic behavior Flashcards
What are “hot” and “cool” processes? What brain areas are associated with each? How are they related to stress? How are they related to self-control?
Hot processes are mental representations that are the basis of emotionality. The automatic system responds reflexively to trigger features in the environment It elicits automatic, aversise, fight-or-flight reactions and is associated with the amygdala.
Cool processes are mental representations that are the basis of self-control. It is the controlled system that is attuned to the informational, cognitive, and spatial aspects of stimuli. It is associated with the prefrontal and cingulate systems involved in cognitive control and executive function.
Stress deactivates the cool system and creates hot-system dominance. At lower levels of stress, complex thinking, planning, and remembering are possible. When stress jumps from low to high, responding tends to become automatic which may undo rational efforts at constructive self-control.
