Error detection in a force-production task: Testing the force-unit monitoring model

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Error detection in a force-production task: Testing the force-unit monitoring model Jutta Stahl1, 2*, Anne Bierbrauer3, Jan Gommann1, Kilian Lenk1 and Stefan Bode2 1 University of Cologne, Department of Psychology, Germany 2 University of Melbourne, Australia 3 Maastricht University, Netherlands Background Error monitoring is a well investigated cognitive process. In typical choice-reaction tasks in which participants make speeded responses to one of two alternatives, detection of an erroneous response should be rather easy. However, responses in everyday life are usually more complex, and even simple ballistic movements such as button presses are comprised of more than one parameter (e.g. time, force). Fast detection of erroneous continuous response parameters is probably more difficult. Recently, we proposed the force-unit monitoring model (FUMM) which suggests a link between shape parameters of medial-frontal negativity (MFN), a component of the event-related potential (ERP) reflecting action monitoring, and shape parameters of force pulses. The present study tested whether the MFN is directly associated with the detection of erroneous force production. Method Using a force-production task, 54 participants (19-47 years) were asked to produce a high or a low force pulse with the index finger of their dominant hand. After each response, participants estimated the accuracy of their force production before feedback presentation. ERPs were recorded using a 61-channel electroencephalogram and they were analyzed time-locked to a) the response onset, b) the time of peak force, and c) the feedback indicating “correct”, “too week”, or “too strong” peak force. Results The MFN following the response onset as well as following the peak force showed variations in several shape parameters (slope of rise, peak, slope of decay, and area under the curve - AUC) as a function of the accuracy evaluation. For successful force-error detection in the high-force condition (i.e. detected erroneous low-force production), we found a larger AUC and a greater slope of the MFN’s rise compared to correct high-force production and to non-detected low-force production. The feedback-related MFN was increased only after incorrect accuracy estimations. Discussion Our study shows that successful force-error detection is related to more than the peak amplitude of MFN. The information inherent in the temporal distribution of the neural activity (reflected by MFN shape parameters) contributed to successful detection of erroneous force production. These results are in line with the FUMM describing the relationship between the characteristics of MFN and response force and they support the development of an action-monitoring model with high ecological validity. Keywords: motor control, Event Related Potentials, error-related negativity, response force, mathematical modeling Conference: ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia, 28 Nov - 1 Dec, 2013. Presentation Type: Oral Topic: Executive Processes Citation: Stahl J, Bierbrauer A, Gommann J, Lenk K and Bode S (2013). Error detection in a force-production task: Testing the force-unit monitoring model. Conference Abstract: ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2013.212.00163 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 03 Nov 2013; Published Online: 25 Nov 2013. * Correspondence: Prof. Jutta Stahl, University of Cologne, Department of Psychology, Köln, 50969, Germany, jutta.stahl@uni-koeln.de Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Jutta Stahl Anne Bierbrauer Jan Gommann Kilian Lenk Stefan Bode Google Jutta Stahl Anne Bierbrauer Jan Gommann Kilian Lenk Stefan Bode Google Scholar Jutta Stahl Anne Bierbrauer Jan Gommann Kilian Lenk Stefan Bode PubMed Jutta Stahl Anne Bierbrauer Jan Gommann Kilian Lenk Stefan Bode Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.