Schedule of Events | Symposia

Changes In Error-Related Theta Oscillations and Post-Error Behavior Across Adolescence

Poster Session A - Saturday, March 29, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Felix Zakirov^1,2 (fzaki001@fiu.edu), Kianoosh Hosseini^1,2, Ana Garcia-Morazzani^1,2, Lillian LaPlace^1,2, Jeremy W. Pettit^1,2, George A. Buzzell^1,2; ¹Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, USA, ²Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, USA

Error monitoring, which allows for detecting mistakes and adapting behavior, is associated with increased theta (4-7 Hz) activity over the medial frontal cortex (MFC). These neural changes are typically followed by post-error adjustments of performance at the behavioral level. However, few studies have investigated developmental patterns in these processes across adolescence and the potential impact of social observation. To close these gaps, we analyzed 64-channel EEG and behavioral data from adolescents aged 11-14 (n=158) who performed a flanker task twice: once while alone and once while observed by a peer. To assess error monitoring processes, we computed measures of response-locked (0-250 ms) theta power, inter-trial phase synchrony (ITPS), and inter-channel phase synchrony (ICPS). For each neural measure of interest, we fit mixed-effects regression models to assess the potential effects of accuracy, social observation, and age. Regardless of social observation, we identified significant accuracy X age interactions for both power (p< .001) and ITPS (p = .004); age-related increases were most prominent for error-related responses. These neural effects were mirrored by similar age-related improvements in post-error behavior (post-error accuracy and post-error reduction in interference). Only ICPS between the MFC and visual regions exhibited interactions with social context (p = .038). Specifically, age-related increases in synchrony between MFC and visual regions were most pronounced for error-related responses in the alone condition. The results suggest selective influence of social observation on error monitoring across age. More broadly, these data provide evidence for age-related improvements in error monitoring at the neural and behavioral levels.

Topic Area: EXECUTIVE PROCESSES: Development &aging