Identification of Event-Related Potentials Elicited by Conceptual Mismatch Between Expectations and Self-chosen TV Images

Abstract

When a voluntary action is followed by an unexpected stimulus, a late positive potential (LPP) with a posterior scalp distribution is elicited in a latency range of 500-700 ms. In the present study, we examined what type of mismatch between expectations and action outcomes was reflected by the LPP. Twelve student volunteers participated in a task simulating choice of TV programs. After choosing one of three options displayed as a cue stimulus, they viewed a second stimulus (still TV image). To manipulate the type of expectation, three kinds of cue conditions were used: thumbnail image condition (three small TV images), category label condition (three words), and no cue condition (three question marks). Over trials, the second stimulus either matched (p = .80) or mismatched (p = .20) the chosen option. As compared to matched TV images, mismatched TV images elicited a larger LPP (500-700 ms) in the thumbnail image and category label conditions. In addition, a larger centroparietal P3 (400-450 ms) was elicited to mismatched TV images in the thumbnail image condition alone. LPP reflects a conceptual mismatch between a category-based expectation and an ensuing action outcome, whereas P3 reflects a perceptual mismatch between an image-based expectation and an action outcome.

A Proposed Speech Discrimination Assessment Methodology Based on Event-Related Potentials to Visual Stimuli

“…The LPP component is generally elicited by a difference between an expectation and the subsequent feedback. In additional research (Adachi, Morikawa, & Nittono, 2011), we also confirmed that the LPP component is observed when the initial stimulus is a letter and the feedback occurs in the form of an image.…”

“…The present authors have examined the physiological phenomena that result when a participant identifies a mismatch between an initial signal and a subsequent feedback signal (Adachi, Morikawa, & Nittono, 2007, 2011. A specific ERP component occurring around 600 ms and called the late positive potential (LPP) is elicited when a mismatch is detected.…”

“…A mismatch is perceived when a difference between the expectation biased by the initial signal and subsequent feedback is detected. Since this feeling of mismatch occurs at a cognitive rather than a perceptual level, the initial expectation and the feedback do not have to be presented in the same modality (Adachi, Morikawa, & Nittono 2011). In the present methodology, the expectation is generated using the auditory modality whereas the feedback is visual.…”

Monitoring of Self-Paced Action Timing and Sensory Outcomes After Lesions to the Orbitofrontal Cortex

“…Subsequent to the enhanced P3a, within-group analyses indicated that the healthy control group had an amplified posteriorly distributed LPP (660-700 msec) to unexpected action outcomes. Studies by Nittono et al suggest that the mismatch between the expected and actual action outcome is also reflected in the LPP, but at a higher, conceptual level of mismatch than the preceding mismatch indices (Adachi et al, 2007;Adachi, Morikawa, & Nittono, 2011;Iwanaga & Nittono, 2010). Debate continues over what composite cognitive processes generate positive slow waves during this late stage of outcome processing.…”

Rhythmic movement: The role of expectancy and skill in event and emergent timing

“…This pattern was noted in all experiments, suggesting that expectancy mechanisms interact with timing in the same way irrespective of the magnitude or nature of the manipulations. Studies using event-related potentials (ERPs), which is an electrophysiological index of brain processes with high temporal resolution, suggest that unpredicted sensory outcomes of voluntary actions are processed as deviant events (Waszak & Herwig, 2007;Nittono & Ullsperger, 2000;Nittono, 2006;Heinks-Maldonado et al, 2005;Adachi, Morikawa & Nittono, 2011). Unpredictable stimuli may also be viewed as distractors, given that unexpected events comprise an involuntary attention shift from the task-relevant information (in this case, timing) to nontemporal information.…”