Physiological correlates of learning by performance feedback in children: a study of EEG event-related potentials and evoked heart rate.
In this study we measured event-related potentials (ERPs) and evoked heart rate (EHR) to investigate performance monitoring in 10-12-year-old children. The children received feedback on their performance while conducting a probabilistic learning task. Error-related ERP components time-locked to the response increased in amplitude when the children had learned the task, whereas the feedback-locked components decreased. Concerning EHR, there was a general reduction in feedback-related heart rate deceleration when the children had learned. Moreover, a prolonged heart rate deceleration was observed at negative feedback onset in comparison to positive feedback, which shifted in timing when the task progressed. Together, the ERP and EHR-measures suggest a shift from external to internal monitoring when the children are learning by performance feedback. The data suggest that error- and feedback-related EHR deceleration is a reflection of the same error monitoring system that is responsible for the emergence of the error-related negativity (ERN).
Groen
Yvonne
Y
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, Groningen, The Netherlands. y.groen@accare.nl
Wijers
Albertus A
AA
Mulder
Lambertus J M
LJ
Minderaa
Ruud B
RB
Althaus
Monika
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002648:Child; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology