title: Detection of error-related negativity in complex visual stimuli: a new neuroergonomic arrow in the practitioner's quiver.
abstract: Brain processes responsible for the error-related negativity (ERN) evoked response potential (ERP) have historically been studied in highly controlled laboratory experiments through presentation of simple visual stimuli. The present work describes the first time the ERN has been evoked and successfully detected in visual search of complex stimuli. A letter flanker task and a motorcycle conspicuity task were presented to participants during electroencephalographic (EEG) recording. Direct visual inspection and subsequent statistical analysis of the resultant time-locked ERP data clearly indicated that the ERN was detectable in both groups. Further, the ERN pattern did not differ between groups. Such results show that the ERN can be successfully elicited and detected in visual search of complex static images, opening the door to applied neuroergonomic use. Harnessing the brain's error detection system presents significant opportunities and complex challenges, and implication of such are discussed in the context of human-machine systems. Practitioner Summary: For the first time, error-related negativity (ERN) has been successfully elicited and detected in a visually complex applied search task. Brain-process-based error detection in human-machine systems presents unique challenges, but promises broad neuroergonomic applications.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA.|b Department of Industrial Engineering , University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Ben D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.affiliation: b Department of Industrial Engineering , University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Karwowski
authors.affiliation: b Department of Industrial Engineering , University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xanthopoulos
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA.|c Institute for Simulation and Training, University of Central Florida , Orlando , FL , USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hancock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D001921:Brain; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Error negativity; applied electroencephalography; human-machine systems; motorcycle conspicuity; visual search