Event-related potentials as indices of display-monitoring performance

Abstract

We evaluated event-related potentials (ERP) as indices of performance in three visual display-monitoring tasks: (a) signal detection, (b) running memory and (c) computation. Using factor analysis, we developed a global measure of performance (PFI) for each task. Task-relevant and irrelevant-probe stimuli elicited ERPs, which included components P1, N1, P2, P300, slow waves, and fronto-central negativities. In tasks (a) and (b), P300 amplitude in the task-relevant ERPs increased when the task was engaged, and was greater for accurate-than for inaccurate-response trials. In tasks (a) and (c), the irrelevant-probe ERPs also differed among task and performance conditions. To relate ERP measures to PF1, we developed linear regression models distinguished by three factors: general versus individual-subject, stimulus relevance, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Model accuracy and reliability were highest for individual-subject, relevant-stimulus and high-SNR models, where average R2 values for the three tasks were 0.44, 0.46, and 0.38, respectively. We discuss implications of the models for performance monitoring and implications of the ERP effects for human information processing.