Abstract
Moser et al. (2013) report a novel meta-analysis across 37 studies demonstrating a small-to-medium association between the error-related negativity (ERN) and self-report measures of anxiety (r = −0.25); the meta-analysis further indicates a stronger relationship between the ERN and anxious apprehension (r = −0.35) than anxious arousal (r = −0.09). Based on these results, Moser et al. articulate their compensatory error monitoring hypothesis (CEMH). In brief, the CEMH proposes that the relationship between anxious apprehension and an increased ERN is due to the distracting effects of worry: worrisome thoughts make it more difficult for anxious individuals to maintain task-related goals; as a result, increased effort must be employed. The CEMH suggests that an increased ERN reflects the transient increase in effort to compensate for the distracting effects of worry. Though we agree with many aspects of the CEMH (e.g., the importance of apprehensive anxiety; the potential impact of worry on the ERN), we believe that motivation and emotion are central constructs to understanding both within- and between-subjects variation in the ERN.
Highlights
Moser et al (2013) report a novel metaanalysis across 37 studies demonstrating a small-to-medium association between the error-related negativity (ERN) and selfreport measures of anxiety (r = −0.25); the meta-analysis further indicates a stronger relationship between the ERN and anxious apprehension (r = −0.35) than anxious arousal (r = −0.09)
We argue that the increased ERN characteristic of anxious individuals reflects the disposition to respond more strongly to uncertain threat (Hajcak, 2012; Weinberg et al, 2012b)
We have suggested that state-related characteristics of depression may alter the relationship between ERN and trait anxiety
Summary
We believe that variation in the ERN reflects a trait difference in early threat sensitivity that drives vigilance and increased defensive motivational responses. We argue that the increased ERN characteristic of anxious individuals reflects the disposition to respond more strongly to uncertain threat (Hajcak, 2012; Weinberg et al, 2012b). Moser et al suggest that there is no evidence that anxious individuals are characterized by a greater defensive response to errors.
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