Neural time course of conflict adaptation effects on the Stroop task

Recent computational modeling and behavioral work indicate that age-related declines in the ability to represent task context may contribute to disruptions of working memory and selective attention in older adults. However, it is unclear whether age-related declines in context processing arise from a disruption of the encoding or maintenance of task context and how age-related declines in context processing interact with mechanisms supporting conflict detection and resolution processes contributing to efficient selection of task-relevant information. This study examines the effects of aging on the neural correlates of context and conflict processing in the Stroop task using event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Age-related differences in the time course of modulations of the ERPs associated with encoding (P3) and maintaining (slow wave) task context were observed. There were also age-related differences in the N450, conflict SP, and ERN associated with conflict processing that interacted with task context. These data indicate that aging is associated with declines in the efficiency of those neural mechanisms supporting both context and conflict processing, and that the effects of aging are not pervasive but rather interact with task context.

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Examining the Time Course of Prime Effects on Stroop Processing

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1994.79.1.675 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 675-687 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Christopher Koch ◽

James M. Brown

Keyword(s):

Stroop Task ◽

Time Course ◽

Semantic Information ◽

Color Word ◽

Stimulus Onset ◽

Word Stimulus ◽

Inhibitory Effects ◽

Color Response ◽

Methodological Considerations ◽

Over Time

This study was conducted to assess the effect of priming on the Stroop task over time. Color-congruent, color-incongruent, and neutral stimuli were randomly presented. Five prime conditions were also used. The prime conditions included valid color, invalid color, valid word, and invalid word primes and no prime. Primes were presented to 8 subjects at varying stimulus onset asynchronies ranging from −200 msec., i.e., 200 msec. before the color-word stimulus, to 200 msec., i.e., 200 msec. after the color-word stimulus. Analysis suggested the facilitory or inhibitory effects of semantic information on the Stroop task are reduced when the prime follows the color-word stimulus by 200 msec. This implies 200 msec. are needed to make the proper color response. A model is proposed to account for the findings. Methodological considerations for studies using priming and the Stroop task are also discussed.

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Conflict adaptation effects in the absence of executive control

Nature Neuroscience ◽

10.1038/nn1051 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 450-452 ◽

Cited By ~ 437

Author(s):

Ulrich Mayr ◽

Edward Awh ◽

Paul Laurey

Keyword(s):

Executive Control ◽

Conflict Adaptation ◽

Adaptation Effects

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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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