Post-Error Adjustments: The Role of Response Stimulus Intervals and Error Placement

Abstract

Error detection and correction are essential components of cognitive control. Following an error, adjustments such as response slowing and changes in accuracy are typically observed. Adaptive theories interpret this behavior as strategic control, while maladaptive theories link it to cognitive impairment. Recent research suggests that post-error slowing depends on error type and the available time to implement adjustments before the next stimulus. In this cross-sectional study, two independent samples completed a version of the Simon task in which response stimulus intervals (RSI) were manipulated to study their effects on post-error adjustments in different error placements (i.e., earlier vs. later errors based on each participant’s median response time across error trials). In Experiment 1, we conducted exploratory analyses to test whether post-error adjustments vary with error placement and RSI. In Experiment 2, we aimed to replicate these findings in an independent sample to assess their robustness. Across both experiments, post-error adjustments varied systematically, suggesting that longer processing time enables distinct, error-specific adaptive mechanisms and highlighting new avenues for future research.

Keywords

action monitoring post-error slowing post-error accuracy cognitive control automaticity

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