Different laterality patterns of the error-related negativity in corrected and uncorrected errors

Abstract

While measuring event-related brain potentials, a divided visual field paradigm was used to discern laterality patterns of the error-related negativity (ERN) in healthy human participants. Two tasks of hemispheric specialty were used (bargraph judgement, lexical decision) and a flanker task. For corrected errors in all tasks, stronger ERN amplitude was found following right visual field presentation. For corrected errors in the specialised tasks, shorter ERN latency was revealed on the side to which the stimulus was presented, while for uncorrected errors it was shorter on the other side. In the flanker task, ERN latency after corrected errors was shorter over the RH regardless of the side to which the stimulus was presented. Results are interpreted to reveal patterns of hemispheric specialisation, independence, and cooperation in error detection that depend on the type of error been committed.