Cognitive Rigidity: The Mental Block That Hinders the Evolution of Thought

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.01596626080701

• Palavras-chave: Cognitive rigidity; beliefs; neuroscience; mental disorders; neurotransmitters; cognitive flexibility; cognitive error.

• Keywords: Cognitive rigidity; beliefs; neuroscience; mental disorders; neurotransmitters; cognitive flexibility; cognitive error.

• Abstract:

  Cognitive rigidity refers to the difficulty of changing beliefs even in the face of contrary evidence, a phenomenon associated with deficits in various brain regions. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) monitors errors and inconsistencies, while the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is responsible for rational analysis. Regions such as the anterior insula and the amygdala influence the emotional reaction to changing beliefs, and the hippocampus plays a key role in updating memory. The nucleus accumbens modulates the motivation to accept new information. Failures in these circuits result in greater cognitive rigidity and the reinforcement of pre-established beliefs, a phenomenon observed in disorders such as paranoid, obsessive-compulsive, autism spectrum, major depression, dementias (frontotemporal, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s), schizophrenia, and narcissistic and histrionic personality disorders. These failures are modulated by neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, GABA, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, which directly influence the perception of reality and cognitive flexibility.