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The mind’s compass: semantic control as the guiding mechanism of affordance management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2026

Maria Montefinese Open the ORCID record for Maria Montefinese [Opens in a new window] ,
Irene Di Pietro Open the ORCID record for Irene Di Pietro [Opens in a new window] ,
Giada Viviani Open the ORCID record for Giada Viviani [Opens in a new window]  and
Ettore Ambrosini Open the ORCID record for Ettore Ambrosini [Opens in a new window]
Maria Montefinese*
Affiliation:
Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy maria.montefinese@gmail.com giada.viviani@unipd.it https://osf.io/bkpa8/ https://osf.io/r98mv
Irene Di Pietro
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy irene.dipietro@phd.unipd.it ettore.ambrosini@unipd.it https://osf.io/wb5vj/ https://osf.io/rgku3/
Giada Viviani
Affiliation:
Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy maria.montefinese@gmail.com giada.viviani@unipd.it https://osf.io/bkpa8/ https://osf.io/r98mv
Ettore Ambrosini
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy irene.dipietro@phd.unipd.it ettore.ambrosini@unipd.it https://osf.io/wb5vj/ https://osf.io/rgku3/
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Ko and Neuberg’s three-pillar framework for affordance management lacks a central guidance mechanism. We argue that their pillars (perception, behavior, and environment) are directed by semantic control, the cognitive ability to flexibly manage conceptual knowledge to suit goals. This neurocognitive system provides the “how” behind adaptation, and its own developmental trajectory constrains the management of life-stage challenges.

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Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e72
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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