Conflict Processing

Conflict processing or conflict control processing is the brain’s ability to effectively detect, register, monitor, and resolve conflict arising from competing stimuli or thoughts. It’s a major function in the frontoparietal network (FPN) to detect and resolve conflict and the limbic system’s anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which regulates thought, behavior, emotion, and motivation to achieve a goal. In addition to involving conflict detection and resolution, conflict processing suppresses inappropriate responses (inhibitory control). Conflict control processing is slightly different in describing active strategies/ mechanisms for resolving conflict—not the conflict itself. Also see Conflict Monitoring Theory