Scanning texts and orthographic proofreading as a measure for cognitve control?

A perspective on cognitive control in cognitive writing models

Abstract

Many cognitive models of the (academic) writing process integrate components of cognitive control, a concept which has mainly been scrutinized through psychological laboratory experiments. The question arises whether results obtained from such experiments are validly transferable to such models (i.e. if they are ecologically valid). In this perspective paper, I highlight similarities and differences between 1. tasks used to measure components of cognitive control (Stroop Word Colour (Switching) Task) and 2. activities that form part of the (academic) writing process (proofreading for orthographic errors and scanning a text for a keyword). Drawing from this comparison, I subsequently argue 1. for the ecological validity of the Stroop Word Colour (Switching) Task with respect to these activities and 2. encourage a stronger consideration of the ecological validity of experiments measuring components of cognitive control to better understand their relationship with activities relevant for the (academic) writing process. A better understanding of this relationship could further lead to the development of strategies to overcome difficulties in (academic) writing related to cognitive control.