A brain‐potential correlate of task‐set conflict. (14th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elchlepp, Heike; Rumball, Freya; Lavric, Aureliu
• Is Part Of: Psychophysiology. Volume 50:Number 3(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 314
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2013-01-14
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/psyp.12015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0048-5772

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Brain‐potential correlates of response conflict are well documented, but those of task conflict are not. Task‐switching studies have suggested a plausible correlate of task conflict—a poststimulus posterior negativity—however, in such paradigms the negativity may also reflect poststimulus task‐set reconfiguration postulated in some models. Here, participants alternated between single‐task blocks of classifying letters and digits; hence, no within‐block task‐set reconfiguration was required. Presenting letters alongside digits slowed responses to the digits and elicited an ERP negativity from ∼350 ms, relative to task‐neutral symbols presented alongside digits, consistent with task conflict. The negativity was also present for congruent digit‐letter stimuli; this and the lack of behavioral response congruency effects indicate conflict at the level of task‐set rather than response selection.</p> </abstract>