Error negativity on correct trials: a reexamination of available data.
The error negativity, an EEG wave observed when subjects commit an error in a choice reaction time (RT) task, is often considered as a sign of error detection. Recently, reports of Ne-like waves on correct responses did challenge this interpretation. It has been proposed, however, that these Ne-like waves result either from an artifactual contamination of response-locked activities by stimulus-locked ones, or from an implicit monitoring of the time elapsing during the RT. Our aim was to reprocess published data: (1) to compare the shape and amplitude of EMG-locked and stimulus-locked ERPs on correct trials, and (2) to compare the size of the EMG-locked Ne-like waves obtained on fast and slow trials. The results neither support the artifact hypothesis nor the RT monitoring one. Therefore, it seems that the Ne-like waves observed on correct trials do correspond to a Ne, which suggests that the Ne has a broader significance than just error detection.
Vidal
F
F
Institut de Médecine Navale du Service de Santé des Armées, BP 610, 83800, Toulon Naval, France. f.vidal@imnssa.net
Burle
B
B
Bonnet
M
M
Grapperon
J
J
Hasbroucq
T
T
D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors