Desender, Kobe and Ridderinkhof, K Richard and Murphy, Peter R (2021) Understanding neural signals of post-decisional performance monitoring: An integrative review. eLife, 10. ISSN 2050-084X

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Abstract

Performance monitoring is a key cognitive function, allowing to detect mistakes and adapt future behavior. Post-decisional neural signals have been identified that are sensitive to decision accuracy, decision confidence and subsequent adaptation. Here, we review recent work that supports an understanding of late error/confidence signals in terms of the computational process of post-decisional evidence accumulation. We argue that the error positivity, a positive going centro-parietal potential measured through scalp electrophysiology, reflects the post decisional evidence accumulation process itself, which follows a boundary crossing event corresponding to initial decision commitment. This proposal provides a powerful explanation for both the morphological characteristics of the signal and its relation to various expressions of performance monitoring. Moreover, it suggests that the error positivity –a signal with thus far unique properties in cognitive neuroscience – can be leveraged to furnish key new insights into the inputs to, adaptation, and consequences of the post-decisional accumulation process.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Brain research; Cognitive ability; cognitive control; Computational neuroscience; Decision making; drift diffusion model; Electrophysiology; Error correction & detection; error positivity; evidence accumulation;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	18296
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.67556
Depositing User:	Dr Peter Murphy
Date Deposited:	21 Mar 2024 12:08
Journal or Publication Title:	eLife
Publisher:	eLife Science Publications, Ltd
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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