On the similarity of the N2-component and the ERN/Ne in the context of conflict-monitoring: anxiety-related treatment conditions and relations to trait-anxiety

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The N2 component and the ERN/Ne are regarded as indicators of conflict-monitoring (Yeung & Cohen, 2006). In previous studies a modulation of the N2 component and the ERN/Ne by means of anxiety-related treatment conditions as well as correlations of the N2 component and the ERN/Ne with trait-anxiety were found. However, the modulation of the N2 component and the ERN/Ne was generally demonstrated in separate studies so that it remains unknown whether the (quasi-) experimental treatment conditions that allow for a modulation of the N2 component would also lead to a modulation of the ERN/Ne. It remains also unknown whether conditions that allow for a modulation of the ERN/Ne would also lead to a modulation of the N2 component. Therefore, the intended project investigates whether a mutual generalization of the effects of anxiety-related manipulations on the N2 component and the ERN/Ne is possible. Moreover, Yeung and Cohen (2006) assumed that the ERN/Ne is primarily determined by relevant stimuli whereas the N2 component depends primarily on stimuli that are irrelevant for the task. Therefore, Study 1 of the intended project is based on an anxiety-related manipulation that does induce processing of primarily relevant stimuli. The manipu-lation consists of a misattribution of the anxiety and tension that co-occurs with errors of commission to a beverage that is believed to produce corresponding side effects. In contrast, in Study 2 an anxiety-related manipulation based on processing of irrelevant stimuli is applied. The irrelevant stimuli are faces (fearful vs. neutral) as well as aversive verbal-monetary feedback. The manipulation of irrelevant stimuli is expected to have larger effects on the N2 components than on the ERN/Ne. In both studies larger effects are expected for participants with high trait-anxiety when compared to participants with low trait-anxiety. Moreover, it is expected that the correlation of the ERN/Ne with the N2 component depends on trait-anxiety and on the anxiety-related treatment conditions. Overall, the intended project aims at an investigation and further understanding of the similarities of the N2 component and the ERN/Ne in the context of conflict-monitoring. This might lead to a confirmation and further specification of existing models of conflict-monitoring. Furthermore, it is investigated to what degree the similarities of the N2 component and the ERN/Ne depend on trait-anxiety. The dependence of the similarity of the N2 component and the ERN/Ne on trait-anxiety is an indicator of the relevance of trait-anxiety for conflict-monitoring.