Article ID: 2504re
The absence of an expected stimulus elicits a series of event-related potentials (ERPs). Recognized since the 1960s, this phenomenon has been used as evidence that ERPs include endogenous components. In this review, these endogenous components are referred to as omitted stimulus potentials (OSPs). Because OSPs occur without sensory input, they offer a unique means of examining the brain’s predictive mechanisms. This review outlines the core characteristics of OSPs and describes the commonly employed experimental paradigms. It also summarizes key findings on the variables that modulate OSPs and presents theoretical interpretations of OSPs through prediction and prediction error frameworks. Finally, the review suggests future directions for OSP research.
