The role of time in conflict-triggered control: Extending the theory of response-conflict monitoring

Errors can play a major role for optimizing subsequent performance: Response conflict associated with (near) errors signals the need to recruit additional control resources to minimize future conflict. However, so far it remains open whether children and older adults also adjust their performance as a function of preceding response conflict. To examine the life span development of conflict detection and resolution, response conflict was elicited during a task-switching paradigm. Electrophysiological correlates of conflict detection for correct and incorrect responses and behavioral indices of post-error adjustments were assessed while participants in four age groups were asked to focus on either speed or accuracy. Despite difficulties in resolving response conflict, the ability to detect response conflict as indexed by the Ne/ERN component was expected to mature early and be preserved in older adults. As predicted, reliable Ne/ERN peaks were detected across age groups. However, only for adults Ne/ERN amplitudes associated with errors were larger compared to Nc/CRN amplitudes for correct trials under accuracy instructions, suggesting an ongoing maturation in the ability to differentiate levels of response conflict. Behavioral interference costs were considerable in both children and older adults. Performance for children and older adults deteriorated rather than improved following errors, in line with intact conflict detection, but impaired conflict resolution. Thus, participants in all age groups were able to detect response conflict, but only young adults successfully avoided subsequent conflict by up-regulating control.

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Music and Attention, Executive Function, and Creativity

The Oxford Handbook of Music and the Brain ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198804123.013.12 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 262-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Psyche Loui ◽

Rachel E. Guetta

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Musical Training ◽

Thought Processes ◽

Conflict Monitoring ◽

Far Transfer ◽

Monitoring Task ◽

Art Form ◽

Creative Art ◽

Research Questions

This chapter provides an overview of research at the intersection of music and cognitive functions. Music, an intrinsically creative art form, requires bottom-up and top-down perceptual processing, attention, and integration of executive functions. Literature on music and attention spans debates on selection theories, and the role of temporal attention and neuronal entrainment. Attention is a subset of executive functioning, goal-directed processes including conflict monitoring, task switching, and working memory. Considerable research has addressed the effects of musical training on executive functions, with contrasting reports of success in far transfer. Finally, contrary to goal-directed processes, creativity entails unconstrained thought processes that yield novel output. Perhaps due to the unrestricted nature of both music and creativity, the relevant research has also been variable. Considering these seemingly disparate aspects of cognitive function in tandem can inspire new and interesting research questions, promoting a more cohesive conceptualization of music within cognitive science more generally.

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The role of trait self-control, healthy eating habits and decentering ability in response conflict

Personality and Individual Differences ◽

10.1016/j.paid.2021.111483 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 188 ◽

pp. 111483

Author(s):

James Rosenthal ◽

Erik Dietl

Keyword(s):

Healthy Eating ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Response Conflict ◽

Self Control ◽

Healthy Eating Habits

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"Individual differences in the regulation of intergroup bias: The role of conflict monitoring and neural signals for control": Correction to Amodio et al. (2008).

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology ◽

10.1037/0022-3514.94.3.545 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 94 (3) ◽

pp. 545-545 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David M. Amodio ◽

Patricia G. Devine ◽

Eddie Harmon-Jones

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Intergroup Bias ◽

Conflict Monitoring ◽

Neural Signals

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EEG Signal Decomposition Evidence for a Role of Perceptual Processes during Conflict-related Behavioral Adjustments in Middle Frontal Regions

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn_a_01558 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 1381-1393

Author(s):

Nico Adelhöfer ◽

Christian Beste

Keyword(s):

Time Window ◽

Flanker Task ◽

Decomposition Methods ◽

Signal Decomposition ◽

Conflict Monitoring ◽

Stimulus Response ◽

Eeg Data ◽

Congruency Sequence Effect ◽

Trial History

Conflict monitoring processes are central to cope with fluctuating environmental demands. However, the efficacy of these processes depends on previous trial history/experience, which is reflected in the “congruency sequence effect” (CSE). Several theoretical accounts have been put forward to explain this effect. Some accounts stress the role of perceptual processes in the emergence of the CSE. As yet, it is elusive how these perceptual processes are implemented on a neural level. We examined this question using a newly developed moving dots flanker task. We combine decomposition methods of EEG data and source localization. We show that perceptual processes modulate the CSE and can be isolated in neurophysiological signals, especially in the N2 ERP time window. However, mechanisms relating perception to action are also coded and modulated in this time window. We show that middle frontal regions (BA 6) are associated with processes dealing with purely perceptual processes. Inferior frontal regions (BA 45) are associated with processes dealing with stimulus–response transition processes. Likely, the neurophysiological modulations reflect unbinding processes at the perceptual level, and stimulus–response translation level needed to respond correctly on the presented (changed) stimulus–response relationships. The data establish a direct relationship between psychological concepts focusing on perceptual processes during conflict monitoring and neurophysiological processes using signal decomposition.

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