Cognitive change effects in a semantic, a numeric, and a figure inference task.

Full Abstract

Event-related potentials were recorded to examine the electrophysiologic correlates of the evaluation of possible answers provided during a semantic, a numeric, and a figure inference task. We examined two conditions: the probe stimulus given was what participants initially generated (Correct answer) or it was unexpected and incorrect (Unexpected Incorrect answer). Results showed that Unexpected Incorrect answers elicited a more negative ERP deflection (N320) than did Correct answers between 300-400 ms under all inference tasks. The generator of N320 effect was localized near the anterior cingulate cortex. The N320 effect, therefore, reflects an expectation violation while participants performed semantic, numeric, or figure inference task.

Author information

Author/s: Yu, Caiyun (C); Tu, Shen (S); Wang, Ting (T); Qiu, Jiang (J);

Affiliation: School of Psychology, Southwest University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuroreport (Neuroreport), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 20 (issue 14) : pp 1304-8

Dates: Created 2009/09/02; Completed 2009/10/30;

PMID: 19675507, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/30/2009, IMS Date: )

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