Error monitoring functions in response to an external feedback when an explicit judgement is required: ERP modulation and cortical source localisation

Abstract

Individuals need feedback from the context to determine the success of their actions. In the present study, the explicit process of the feedback judgement (explicit response to feedback correctness) was examined by recording ERPs. A systematic mismatch between the expected feedback information and the observed feedback (incorrect feedback) linked to the subject's performance was used. Thirteen subjects participated in the study, and they were required to detect the correct vs. incorrect feedback with an explicit response. The experimental procedure included three main tasks: the subject's performance (spatial decisional task); the system's response to the performance (external feedback); and the subject's judgement of the external feedback (feedback monitoring). A FRN (feedback-related negativity) ERP effect with a higher amplitude was revealed in case of an explicit feedback monitoring for the incorrect feedback. Moreover, as shown by the cortical source analysis (LORETA), monitoring of an erroneous feedback produced a significant increased response by the right prefrontal area. This negative deflection may be viewed as a specific marker of the conscious monitoring functions. Considering the cortical distribution of this effect, whereas the anterior portion of the cingulate cortex could represent a more automatic cognitive processing of a mismatching, the anterior right dorsolateral area would intervene to reconfigure the subjective expectations when a violation is consciously detected. Generally, this system could explain the significance of the mechanism to the erroneous feedback and the necessity to restore the incoherent information.