Error Monitoring

This research explores brain activity related to detection and evaluation of error, conflict, or unexpected information. Preliminary findings suggest that this
evaluation/detection is expressed in the theta band frequency. Moreover, this activity seems to be sensitive to the salience of the error.

Infant Detection of Errors
In collaboration with Michael Posner

The goal of this project was to find evidence that would support the idea that infants have a basic notion of arithmetic. This was accomplished by measuring the brain activity of infants when they observe impossible events. We combined Wynn’s famous paradigm with EEG/ERP methodology and look at the infants’ brain activity while they were presented with correct and incorrect simple arithmetical equations.

The Development of Brain Mechanisms of Error Detection

The aim of this study is to track the development of the error-detection mechanism during childhood. Specifically, we are interested in determining the age at which brain activity in children matures and becomes similar to that of an adult. For this purpose, we present our participants with a simple arithmetic equation, followed by a correct/incorrect solution. We test children at different ages. The results are compared to previous findings from our lab, which tested this paradigm in infants and adults.

Erroneous Information Processing

The principal goal of this study is to define the type of processing elicited by exposure to erroneous information.  More specifically, we will attempt to demonstrate the engagement of a central processing mechanism, elicited by violation of expectation, using the dual task paradigm. By combining reaction time (RT) and EEG measures, we can formulate a model of erroneous data processing during engagement in cognitive tasks.

Error Detection and Cognitive Control

An important feature of the human cognitive system is its ability to adjust behavior in the context of goal-directed actions and environmental demands. The set of functions that provide this ability is usually termed cognitive control. The aim of our current project is to understand how cognitive control is involved in error detection and adjustment following an erroneous response. We use novel and specifically designed paradigms and implement various techniques of analysis in an attempt to explain how, when, and why the human brain processes errors. This will help us to more clearly understand the role of cognitive control in error processing.

Control Mechanisms in OCD
In collaboration with Gideon Anholt

This project studies enhanced action tendencies in normal and clinical populations, especially OCD. Specifically, our current research goal is to search for direct evidence of an early response preparation process in OCD by examining various event-related potential (ERP) components, mainly that of the readiness potential (RP). More specifically, we are interested in determining whether an enhanced response tendency characterizes deficits in OCD. The tasks we are currently using are the stop-signal paradigm and the Go-NoGo task.