Why is there an error negativity on correct trials? A reappraisal.

In healthy subjects, the Error Negativity (Ne) was initially reported on errors and on partial errors, only. Later on, application of the Laplacian transformation to EEG data unmasked a Ne-like wave (Nc) that shares a main generator with the Ne, suggesting that the Nc is just a small Ne. However, the reason why a small Ne would persist on correct responses remains unclear.

On the Comparison Between the Nc/CRN and the Ne/ERN.

After the Error Negativity (Ne or ERN) has been described on full-blown errors and on partial error, a smaller Error Negativity-like wave (CRN or Nc) has also been evidenced on correct trials, first in patients with schizophrenia and, later on, in healthy subjects. The functional significance of the Nc as compared to the Ne is of critical importance since most models accounting for the genesis of the Ne on errors and partial errors cannot account for the existence of the Nc if this Nc simply corresponds to a small Ne. On the contrary, if the Nc and the Ne are two completely distinct components, then the existence of a Nc poses no constraint to the existing models.

A measure of the interference effect distribution.

We elaborated an index, the Interference Distribution Index, which allows quantifying the relation between response times and the size of the interference effect. This index is associated with an intuitive graphical representation, the Lorenz-interference plot. We show that this index has some convenient properties in terms of sensitivity to changes in the distribution of the interference effect and to aggregation of individual data.

Errors and Action Monitoring: .

It was recognized long ago by Seneca through his famous "." that the human information processing system is intrinsically fallible. What is newer is the fact that, at least in sensorimotor information processing realized under time pressure, errors are largely dealt with by several (psycho)physiological-specific mechanisms: prevention, detection, inhibition, correction, and, if these mechanisms finally fail, strategic behavioral adjustments following errors.

A Simon-like effect in Go/No-Go tasks performed in isolation.

The present study was conducted to decipher whether a spatial correspondence effect can emerge in Go/No-Go tasks (cSE, in reference to Donders' type c task) performed in isolation (participant alone in the cubicle). To this aim, a single participant was centrally positioned in front of a device and was required to respond by a hand key-press to the color of the stimulus. Half the participants were seated in front of a table equipped with only one response key and the other half in front of a table equipped with two response keys (one active and the other one useless).