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In the present study the influence on P300 amplitude of monetary payoff values linked to stimuli was investigated. Eight school boys (aged 11-13 yrs) were presented with random seriesof four equally frequent visual numeric stimuli (0, 2. 10. and 50). In the payoff condition (PC) subjects were told that each number would indicate the number of German pennies as a winning. In the no-payoff condition (NPC) subjects only had to attend to the stimuli. The amplitude ofa late positive component (P440-540) of the visual evoked potential (identified as a representation ofthe P300 in this age group) was significantly larger in PC than in NPC. The amplitude was also influenced by the amount of monetary payoff, being significantly largest after presentation of the "50' stimulus. Results are discussed in terms of the relevance of information provided by the stimulus, intemal categorization, and subjective probabilities ofthe stimuli.DESCRIPTORS: Event-related potentials in children, P300, Incentive value of stimuli, Money-winning paradigm.

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