Controllability
constructcited
ClaimControllability is whether action-outcome contingency is detectable -- whether what you do reliably influences what happens -- with specific neural circuitry (vmPFC-DRN pathway).
This claim fails if
If the distinction between controllability (contingency detection), control (actually having influence), and perceived control (believing you have influence) is shown to be without behavioral or neural difference, the three-way distinction is unnecessary.
Whether action-outcome contingency is detectable -- whether what you do reliably influences what happens. Has specific neural circuitry (vmPFC-DRN pathway). Distinct from control (actually having influence) and perceived control (believing you have influence).
Nearest academic equivalents
- Instrumental contingency (learning theory)
- Perceived control (Skinner 1996)
- Locus of control (Rotter 1966)
- Controllability (Maier & Seligman 2016)
Delta from academic usage
Used in the specific neuroscience sense: the conditional probability of outcome given response is not equal to the conditional probability of outcome absent response. The controllability circuit is a design target for the stabilizer -- providing structured experiences where the human detects action-consequence contingency activates the vmPFC-DRN pathway.