title: On the need to better specify the concept of "control" in brain-computer-interfaces/neurofeedback research.
abstract: Aiming at a better specification of the concept of "control" in brain-computer-interfaces (BCIs) and neurofeedback (NF) research, we propose to distinguish "self-control of brain activity" from the broader concept of "BCI control", since the first describes a neurocognitive phenomenon and is only one of the many components of "BCI control". Based on this distinction, we developed a framework based on dual-processes theory that describes the cognitive determinants of self-control of brain activity as the interplay of automatic vs. controlled information processing. Further, we distinguish between cognitive processes that are necessary and sufficient to achieve a given level of self-control of brain activity and those which are not. We discuss that those cognitive processes which are not necessary for the learning process can hamper self-control because they cannot be completely turned-off at any time. This framework aims at a comprehensive description of the cognitive determinants of the acquisition of self-control of brain activity underlying those classes of BCI which require the user to achieve regulation of brain activity as well as NF learning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz Graz, Austria ; BioTechMed Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz Graz, Austria ; BioTechMed Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Silvia Erika
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kober
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz Graz, Austria ; BioTechMed Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz Graz, Austria ; BioTechMed Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neuper
keywords: BCI; cognitive strategies; dual-process theory; executive functions; meta-cognition; neurofeedback; rumination