The article presents the Dual Mechanisms of Control (DMC) framework, which posits that cognitive control involves two distinct modes: proactive and reactive control. Proactive control involves sustained maintenance of goal-relevant information to optimize performance, while reactive control is stimulus-driven and occurs in response to interference. The DMC framework explains variations in cognitive control across individuals, tasks, and populations by considering the relative use of these two modes. Proactive control is associated with sustained activation in the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), while reactive control involves transient activation and broader brain networks. The DMC framework also highlights the role of dopamine in modulating these control mechanisms. Individual differences in cognitive control are influenced by factors such as working memory capacity, fluid intelligence, reward sensitivity, and anxiety. The framework has been applied to various populations, including older adults, individuals with schizophrenia, children, and adolescents, revealing differences in control strategies. The DMC framework suggests that cognitive control is not a single, uniform process but rather a dynamic interplay between proactive and reactive mechanisms, which can be influenced by task demands, individual traits, and environmental factors. The framework provides a unifying explanation for cognitive control variability and has implications for understanding and improving cognitive control in different populations.The article presents the Dual Mechanisms of Control (DMC) framework, which posits that cognitive control involves two distinct modes: proactive and reactive control. Proactive control involves sustained maintenance of goal-relevant information to optimize performance, while reactive control is stimulus-driven and occurs in response to interference. The DMC framework explains variations in cognitive control across individuals, tasks, and populations by considering the relative use of these two modes. Proactive control is associated with sustained activation in the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), while reactive control involves transient activation and broader brain networks. The DMC framework also highlights the role of dopamine in modulating these control mechanisms. Individual differences in cognitive control are influenced by factors such as working memory capacity, fluid intelligence, reward sensitivity, and anxiety. The framework has been applied to various populations, including older adults, individuals with schizophrenia, children, and adolescents, revealing differences in control strategies. The DMC framework suggests that cognitive control is not a single, uniform process but rather a dynamic interplay between proactive and reactive mechanisms, which can be influenced by task demands, individual traits, and environmental factors. The framework provides a unifying explanation for cognitive control variability and has implications for understanding and improving cognitive control in different populations.