Cortical beta power reflects decision dynamics and uncovers multiple facets of post-error adaptation

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Human Behavior

Background:

• Rapid adaptation to errors is crucial for survival.
• Post-error slowing is a common observation, but its adaptive significance remains debated.
• Understanding error adaptation mechanisms informs cognitive control theories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanisms underlying post-error slowing.
• To determine whether post-error slowing is adaptive or maladaptive.
• To link computational models of decision-making with neurophysiological measures.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of a large dataset from a flanker task.
• Application of a multistage drift-diffusion model to decision-making.
• Utilizing lateralized electroencephalography (EEG) beta power as a neural index of choice formation.

Main Results:

• Fitted model parameters and EEG beta power revealed a complex interplay of mechanisms after errors.
• Identified mechanisms include suppression of distracting evidence, increased response threshold, and reduced evidence accumulation.
• These mechanisms collectively lead to slower, more accurate post-error responses.

Conclusions:

• Post-error responses involve both adaptive control and maladaptive orienting, resulting in an overall adaptive effect of reduced error repetition.
• Lateralized beta power serves as a valuable non-invasive neural marker for studying cognitive control processes.
• The findings provide strong evidence for adaptive cognitive control following errors.