Abstract
The error-related negativity (ERN) has been recognized as a component of the event-related potentials associated with making errors. The ERN generator is estimated to be in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). ACC is also activated by conflict during the response competition. Then, ERN might be affected by the response competition. In the present study, variations of ERN were examined in different degrees of the response competition. Nine participants performed a modified Eriksen flankers task which had two conditions (high and low response competition conditions). In the low condition, a cue stimulus was presented to reduce response competition. EEG and EMG were recorded. EEGs were averaged at EMG onset to obtain ERN. The peak latency of ERN in the low condition was significantly longer than that in the high condition. There was no significant difference in the ERN amplitude between the two conditions. These results indicate that ERN is affected by the degrees of response competition. (Japanese Journal of Physiological Psychology and Psychophysiology, 22 (1) : 33-41, 2004.)
