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Simultaneous EEG and pupillary evidence for post-error arousal during a speeded performance task
Rebecca J Compton1, Dylan Gearinger1, Hannah Wild1
1Haverford College, Haverford, PA, USA.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|August 28, 2020
Summary
Detecting performance errors triggers arousal, indicated by increased pupil diameter and decreased alpha brain waves. This error-evoked arousal may not always improve subsequent performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Performance errors can trigger arousal, influencing attention and behavior.
- Pupil diameter is a physiological indicator of norepinephrinergic arousal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if EEG alpha oscillations reflect arousal following performance errors.
- To correlate EEG alpha changes with pupil diameter as a measure of arousal.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and pupil diameter measurements were recorded.
- EEG alpha power (8-12 Hz) and pupil diameter changes were analyzed in response to correct and incorrect trials.
Main Results:
- Following errors, pupil diameter increased and EEG alpha power decreased compared to correct trials.
- Increased pupil diameter was associated with decreased EEG alpha power, suggesting arousal.
- Errors were followed by diminished performance on subsequent trials.
Conclusions:
- Error-evoked arousal, reflected by pupil dilation and alpha suppression, may not consistently lead to adaptive cognitive control.
- The findings suggest a complex relationship between error detection, arousal, and performance outcomes.
