Electrophysiological correlates related to the conflict adaptation effect in an emotional conflict task

Abstract. The study of the conflict-adaptation effect, in which encountering information-processing conflict attenuates the disruptive influence of information-processing conflicts encountered subsequently, is a burgeoning area of research. The present study investigated associations among performance measures on a Stroop-trajectory task (measuring Stroop interference and conflict adaptation), on a Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST; measuring cognitive flexibility), and on self-reported measures of self-regulation (including impulsivity and tenacity). We found significant reliability of the conflict-adaptation effects across a two-week period, for response-time and accuracy. Variability in conflict adaptation was not associated significantly with any indicators of performance on the WCST or with most of the self-reported self-regulation measures. There was substantial covariance between Stroop interference for accuracy and conflict adaptation for accuracy. The lack of evidence of covariance across distinct aspects of cognitive control (conflict adaptation, WCST performance, self-reported self-control) may reflect the operation of relatively independent component processes.

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Behavioral Investigations of the Conflict Adaptation Effect

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e500432007-001 ◽

2006 ◽

Author(s):

Emily Harmon ◽

Adam Oskvarek ◽

Angie Kahrs ◽

Julie Bugg

Keyword(s):

Adaptation Effect ◽

Conflict Adaptation

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Disentangling cognition and emotion in older adults: the role of cognitive control and mental health in emotional conflict adaptation

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry ◽

10.1002/gps.4535 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (8) ◽

pp. 840-848 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nathan C. Hantke ◽

Anett Gyurak ◽

Katie Van Moorleghem ◽

Jill D. Waring ◽

Maheen M. Adamson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Control ◽

Conflict Adaptation ◽

Emotional Conflict ◽

Cognition And Emotion

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Dynamic Adjustments of Cognitive Control: Oscillatory Correlates of the Conflict Adaptation Effect

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn_a_00474 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 25 (12) ◽

pp. 2167-2178 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Bernhard Pastötter ◽

Gesine Dreisbach ◽

Karl-Heinz T. Bäuml

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Control ◽

Adaptation Effect ◽

Previous Trial ◽

Conflict Adaptation ◽

Response Priming ◽

Theta Power ◽

Current Trial ◽

Beta Power ◽

A Current ◽

Adaptation Effects

It is a prominent idea that cognitive control mediates conflict adaptation, in that response conflict in a previous trial triggers control adjustments that reduce conflict in a current trial. In the present EEG study, we investigated the dynamics of cognitive control in a response-priming task by examining the effects of previous trial conflict on intertrial and current trial oscillatory brain activities, both on the electrode and the source level. Behavioral results showed conflict adaptation effects for RTs and response accuracy. Physiological results showed sustained intertrial effects in left parietal theta power, originating in the left inferior parietal cortex, and midcentral beta power, originating in the left and right (pre)motor cortex. Moreover, physiological analysis revealed a current trial conflict adaptation effect in midfrontal theta power, originating in the ACC. Correlational analyses showed that intertrial effects predicted conflict-induced midfrontal theta power in currently incongruent trials. In addition, conflict adaptation effects in midfrontal theta power and RTs were positively related. Together, these findings point to a dynamic cognitive control system that, as a function of previous trial type, up- and down-regulates attention and preparatory motor activities in anticipation of the next trial.

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