Modernizing Our Cognitive Model

Although still popular, the Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) Loop is outdated as a model of human cognition. Based on advances in the cognitive sciences since the 1950s, the CritiqueExplore-Compare-Adapt (CECA) Loop is proposed as a better descriptive model. The model puts two mental representations, the conceptual model established through operational planning, and the situation model, which represents the state of the battlespace, at the center of the decision making process. The four phases of the CECA Loop broadly correspond to the identification of information needs (Critique), active and passive data collection and situation updating (Explore), comparison of the current situation to the conceptual model (Compare), and adaptation to aspects of the battlespace that invalidate the conceptual model or block the path to goal completion (Adapt). The CECA Loop is intended to serve as a simple but widely applicable framework in which to study decision making in the context of Command and Control (C2). Some advantages of the CECA Loop over the OODA Loop are greater insight into the nature of perception and understanding, introduction of critical thinking elements, and exposition of the central role of planning and the mental representation of operational concepts in C2. Introduction The Observe-Orient-Decide-Act or OODA Loop has been popular in military circles as a descriptive model of human reasoning and decision making for roughly 50 years. By conceiving of friendly and enemy forces in terms of competing cycles of decision processes, military theorists have been able to identify ways of speeding up one’s own decision making while interfering with and slowing down the enemy’s. The key assumption is that completing one’s own decision cycle faster than one’s opponent will yield ever-increasing advantages in Command and Control (C2) effectiveness, which will, in turn, yield greater battle success (Alex, 2000). To obtain positive combat effects from good decision making, it is necessary to have the best possible theory of cognition underlying one’s concept of C2. A good cognitive theory is one that is most descriptive of how people actually think under various conditions and highly predictive of how people will think and act in any specific situation. Such a theory conveys a number of advantages. First, it informs military analysts and planners where support for command decision making is required and what kinds of support will be effective (Litherland, 1999). Second, it is needed to design training, doctrine, and procedures to be consistent with natural human reasoning and enhance its strengths and mitigate its weaknesses (Cunningham, 2000; Marr, 2001). Finally, by understanding how the mind works, one can decide what organizations, Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.