Mediofrontal Negativities to Averted Gains and Losses in the Slot-Machine Task

Abstract: In a previous study we addressed the question whether a feedback-related negativity (FRN) can be elicited by outcomes that are not contingent on any preceding choice or action ( Donkers, Nieuwenhuis, & Van Boxtel, 2005 ). Participants took part in a simple slot-machine task in which they experienced monetary gains and losses in the absence of responses. In addition, they performed a time estimation task often used to study the FRN, and a flanker task known to elicit the error-related negativity (Ne/ERN). Outcomes in the slot-machine task elicited a mediofrontal negativity whose amplitude correlated with the amplitude of the FRN associated with negative feedback in the time estimation task. However, the mediofrontal negativity was observed both for (unfavorable) outcomes that averted a gain and for (favorable) outcomes that averted a loss of money, a finding that is inconsistent with previous FRN research. In the present study we examined the similarity between the mediofrontal negativity observed in the slot-machine task and the frequency-sensitive N2. We manipulated the overall frequency of obtaining gains and losses in the slot-machine task and compared the negativities on averted gains and losses across the different trial probabilities. The results showed that larger feedback-related negativities were elicited by unexpected unfavorable outcomes than by expected unfavorable outcomes.

Download Full-text

The Devil You Know

Psychological Science ◽

10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02183.x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 19 (10) ◽

pp. 962-967 ◽

Cited By ~ 107

Author(s):

Jacob B. Hirsh ◽

Michael Inzlicht

Keyword(s):

Negative Feedback ◽

Neural Activity ◽

Evoked Potential ◽

Time Estimation ◽

Affective Responses ◽

Event Related Potential ◽

Estimation Task ◽

Feedback Information ◽

Time Estimation Task ◽

The Devil

Individuals differ in the extent to which they respond negatively to uncertainty. Although some individuals feel little discomfort when facing the unknown, those high in neuroticism find it aversive. We examined neurophysiological responses to uncertainty using an event-related potential framework. Participants completed a time-estimation task while their neural activity was recorded via electroencephalography. The feedbackrelated negativity (FRN), an evoked potential that peaks approximately 250 ms after the receipt of feedback information, was examined under conditions of positive, negative, and uncertain feedback. The magnitude of these responses was then analyzed in relation to individual differences in neuroticism. As expected, a larger FRN was observed after negative feedback than after positive feedback for all participants. For individuals who scored highly on trait neuroticism, however, uncertain feedback produced a larger neural response than did negative feedback. These results are discussed in terms of affective responses to uncertainty among neurotic individuals.

Download Full-text

Cardiac and Electrophysiological Responses to Valid and Invalid Feedback in a Time-Estimation Task

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803/a000049 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 131-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

G. W. Mies ◽

F. M. Van der Veen ◽

J. H. M. Tulen ◽

M. W. Hengeveld ◽

M. W. Van der Molen

Keyword(s):

Negative Feedback ◽

Time Estimation ◽

Cardiac Response ◽

Remedial Action ◽

Estimation Task ◽

Electrophysiological Responses ◽

Cardiac Slowing ◽

Performance Results ◽

Age Range ◽

Time Estimation Task

This study investigated the cardiac and electrophysiological responses to feedback in a time-estimation task in which feedback-validity was manipulated. Participants across a wide age range had to produce 1 s intervals followed by positive and negative feedback that was valid or invalid (i.e., related or unrelated to the preceding time estimate). Performance results showed that they processed the information provided by the feedback. Negative feedback was associated with a transient cardiac slowing only when feedback was valid. Correct adjustments after valid negative feedback were associated with a more pronounced cardiac slowing. Validity did not affect the feedback-related negativity (FRN), except when remedial action was taken into account. The FRN and cardiac response to feedback decreased with advancing age, but performance did not. The current pattern of findings was interpreted to suggest that the FRN and cardiac response signal “alert” and that the cardiac response, but not the FRN, is implicated in the mechanisms invoked in remedial action.

Download Full-text

Haloperidol Impairs Learning and Error-related Negativity in Humans

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/0898929041502779 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 1098-1112 ◽

Cited By ~ 111

Author(s):

Patrick J. Zirnheld ◽

Christine A. Carroll ◽

Paul D. Kieffaber ◽

Brian F. O'Donnell ◽

Anantha Shekhar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Flanker Task ◽

Time Estimation ◽

Response Monitoring ◽

Dopamine Antagonist ◽

Continuous Performance Task ◽

Double Blind ◽

Response Latencies ◽

Error Related Negativity ◽

And Performance ◽

Time Estimation Task

Humans are able to monitor their actions for behavioral conflicts and performance errors. Growing evidence suggests that the error-related negativity (ERN) of the event-related cortical brain potential (ERP) may index the functioning of this response monitoring system and that the ERN may depend on dopaminergic mechanisms. We examined the role of dopamine in ERN and behavioral indices of learning by administering either 3 mg of the dopamine antagonist (DA) haloperidol (n = 17); 25 mg of diphenhydramine (n = 16), which has a similar CNS profile but without DA properties; or placebo (n = 18) in a randomized, double-blind manner to healthy volunteers. Three hours after drug administration, participants performed a go/no-go Continuous Performance Task, the Eriksen Flanker Task, and a learning-dependent Time Estimation Task. Haloperidol significantly attenuated ERN amplitudes recorded during the flanker task, impaired learning of time intervals, and tended to cause more errors of commission, compared to placebo, which did not significantly differ from diphenhydramine. Drugs had no significant effects on the stimulus-locked P1 and N2 ERPs or on behavioral response latencies, but tended to affect post-error reaction time (RT) latencies in opposite ways (haloperidol decreased and diphenhydramine increased RTs). These findings support the hypothesis that the DA system is involved in learning and the generation of the ERN.

Download Full-text

Event-Related Brain Potentials Following Incorrect Feedback in a Time-Estimation Task: Evidence for a “Generic” Neural System for Error Detection

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn.1997.9.6.788 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 788-798 ◽

Cited By ~ 970

Author(s):

Wolfgang H. R. Miltner ◽

Christoph H. Braun ◽

Michael G. H. Coles

Keyword(s):

Error Detection ◽

Time Estimation ◽

Event Related Potentials ◽

Neural System ◽

Anterior Cingulate ◽

Local Source ◽

Estimation Task ◽

Error Related Negativity ◽

Related Potentials ◽

Time Estimation Task

We examined scalp-recorded event-related potentials following feedback stimuli in a time-estimation task. Six hundred msec after indicating the end of a 1 sec interval, subjects received a visual, auditory, or somatosensory stimulus that indicated whether the interval they had produced was correct. Following feedback indicating incorrect performance, a negative deflection occurred, whose characteristics corresponded closely to those of the component (the error-related negativity) that accompanies errors in choice reaction time tasks. Furthermore, equivalent dipole analysis suggested that, for all three modalities, the distribution of the scalp potential was consistent with a local source in the anterior cingulate cortex or a more distributed source in the supplementary motor areas. These loci correspond closely to those described previously for the error-related negativity. We conclude that the error-related negativity is the manifestation of the activity of a “generic” neural system involved in error detection.

Download Full-text

Perceptual Asymmetries in a Time Estimation Task With Emotional Sounds

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e633262013-527 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel Voyer ◽

Emily Reuangrith

Keyword(s):

Time Estimation ◽

Estimation Task ◽

Perceptual Asymmetries ◽

Time Estimation Task

Download Full-text

The Internal Structure of a Time Estimation Task

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1985.60.2.618 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 618-618

Author(s):

David R. Saunders

Keyword(s):

Internal Structure ◽

Time Estimation ◽

Estimation Task ◽

Time Estimation Task

Download Full-text

The effects of sleep loss in a combined tracking and time estimation task

Ergonomics ◽

10.1080/00140139408963715 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 1021-1030 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

HARRIE G. M. BOHNEN ◽

ANTHONY W. K. GAILLARD

Keyword(s):

Time Estimation ◽

Sleep Loss ◽

Estimation Task ◽

Time Estimation Task

Download Full-text

Activation of insular cortex and subcortical regions related to feedback stimuli in a time estimation task: An fMRI study

Neuroscience Letters ◽

10.1016/j.neulet.2006.01.061 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 399 (1-2) ◽

pp. 39-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Tetsuji Tsukamoto ◽

Yasunori Kotani ◽

Yoshimi Ohgami ◽

Kazufumi Omura ◽

Yusuke Inoue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insular Cortex ◽

Time Estimation ◽

Estimation Task ◽

Fmri Study ◽

Subcortical Regions ◽

Time Estimation Task

Download Full-text

Development of Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (Peter): Time Estimation

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1980.51.2.655 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 655-665 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Michael E. Mc Cauley ◽

Robert S. Kennedy ◽

Alvah C. Bittner

Keyword(s):

Performance Evaluation ◽

Performance Test ◽

Constant Error ◽

Time Estimation ◽

Environmental Research ◽

Unique Contribution ◽

Repeated Testing ◽

Estimation Task ◽

Variable Error ◽

Time Estimation Task

A time-estimation task was considered for inclusion in the Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER) battery. As part of this consideration, the effects of repeated testing on the reliability of time judgments were studied. The method of production was used to estimate eight time intervals. Five trials per day at each interval were administered individually to each of 19 subjects for 15 consecutive workdays. Two scores, constant error and variable error, were reported. The effect of days was not significant for constant error and was moderate for variable error ( p < .04). The standard deviations were relatively stable across trials. A pronounced decline in reliability over repeated days of testing was found for both errors. It was concluded that this time-estimation test would be a poor candidate for inclusion in PETER, but further research is warranted because of the potential unique contribution of a time-estimation task in a performance test battery.

Download Full-text