title: Limits of Executive Control: Sequential Effects in Predictable Environments.
abstract: Cognitive-control theories attribute action control to executive processes that modulate behavior on the basis of expectancy or task rules. In the current study, we examined corticospinal excitability and behavioral performance in a go/no-go task. Go and no-go trials were presented in runs of five, and go and no-go runs alternated predictably. At the beginning of each trial, subjects indicated whether they expected a go trial or a no-go trial. Analyses revealed that subjects immediately adjusted their expectancy ratings when a new run started. However, motor excitability was primarily associated with the properties of the previous trial, rather than the predicted properties of the current trial. We also observed a large latency cost at the beginning of a go run (i.e., reaction times were longer for the first trial in a go run than for the second trial). These findings indicate that actions in predictable environments are substantially influenced by previous events, even if this influence conflicts with conscious expectancies about upcoming events.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter f.l.j.verbruggen@exeter.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Verbruggen
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McAndrew
authors.affiliation: School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University.
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weidemann
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Exeter.
authors.forename: Ian P L
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: McLaren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003243:Consciousness / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: executive control; expectancy; motor-evoked potentials; open data; sequential effects; transcranial magnetic stimulation