Abstract
In communication between humans as well as in human–computer interaction, feedback is ubiquitous. It is essential for keeping up the dialogue between interaction partners, evaluating the adequacy of an action, or improving task performance. While the neuroscientific view on feedback has largely focused on its function as reward, more general definitions also emphasise its function as information about aspects of one’s task performance. Using fMRI in a computer-controlled auditory categorisation task, we studied the neural correlates of the informational value of computer-given feedback independent of reward. Feedback about the correctness of a decision, compared with feedback only indicating the registration of a decision, increases activation of the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex, supporting this region’s role in adapting to behaviourally relevant information. Both conditions elicit equally strong activation of the dorsal striatum which does not support an interpretation of feedback information as a type of reward. Instead, we suggest that it reflects a more fundamental aspect of human interaction behaviour, namely the establishment of a state that enables us to continue with the next step of the interaction.
Highlights
In communication between humans as well as in human–computer interaction, feedback is ubiquitous
The experiment described here aimed at distinguishing different types of feedback information in human computer interaction and their neural correlates
A particular focus was set on the role of dopamine-related brain areas, the dorsal striatum, which in previous studies[9,11] has demonstrated an increase in activation following correlated registering feedback that did not include any reward in the classical sense
Summary
In communication between humans as well as in human–computer interaction, feedback is ubiquitous. Following this line of thinking, the vast majority of studies on the neural correlates of feedback processing have been designed as reinforcement experiments using reward and punishment, and as a consequence, any activation in dopaminergic brain regions has almost exclusively been attributed to mechanisms of reward p rocessing[17,18] In this context, the dorsal striatum has been associated with the anticipation of rewarding feedback[19,20] and the establishment of associations or contingencies between stimulus, response and r eward[21,22,23]. Such a role of dopamine neurons being most active when critical information is available for learning has been suggested by McGovern et al.[26]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call