Abstract
It has been demonstrated that target detection is impaired following an error in an unrelated flanker task. These findings support the idea that the occurrence or processing of unexpected error-like events interfere with subsequent information processing. In the present study, we investigated the effect of errors on early visual ERP components. We therefore combined a flanker task and a visual discrimination task. Additionally, the intertrial interval between both tasks was manipulated in order to investigate the duration of these negative after-effects. The results of the visual discrimination task indicated that the amplitude of the N1 component, which is related to endogenous attention, was significantly decreased following an error, irrespective of the intertrial interval. Additionally, P3 amplitude was attenuated after an erroneous trial, but only in the long-interval condition. These results indicate that low-level attentional processes are impaired after errors.
Highlights
Making one error is usually not problematic but it is important to optimize behavior subsequently
We present a speeded flanker task followed by a visual discrimination task with one frequent and one infrequent target
We investigated the effect of errors on subsequent visuo-attentional processes by combining a flanker and a visual discrimination task
Summary
Making one error is usually not problematic but it is important to optimize behavior subsequently. Post-error adaptation has been investigated using behavioural measures with the most robust finding being a slowing in reaction time following an error [1] This post-error slowing (PES) is reliable within participants when re-tested, suggesting that PES reflects a personal response to the error [2, 3]. The orienting account states that errors are infrequent and motivationally salient events that trigger an orienting response [11] This orienting response interferes with subsequent processing leading to PES and, if the inter-trial interval is short, to a post-error accuracy decrease. In line with this idea, Notebaert et al demonstrated that PES is found when errors are infrequent but post-correct slowing is observed when correct responses are infrequent.
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