Error-related negativity predicts academic performance

  1. Jacob B. Hirsh,
  2. Michael Inzlicht

Article first published online: 7 AUG 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2009.00877.x

Issue

Psychophysiology

Psychophysiology

Volume 47, Issue 1, pages 192–196, January 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Hirsh, J. B. and Inzlicht, M. (2010), Error-related negativity predicts academic performance. Psychophysiology, 47: 192–196. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2009.00877.x

Author Information

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

*Address reprint requests to: Jacob B. Hirsh, Department of Psychology, Sidney Smith Hall, 100 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3G3, Canada. E-mail: jacob.hirsh@utoronto.ca

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 DEC 2009
  2. Article first published online: 7 AUG 2009
  3. (Received February 5, 2009; Accepted March 5, 2009)

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Keywords:

  • Anterior cingulate cortex;
  • Error-related negativity;
  • Electrophysiology;
  • Cognitive control;
  • Academic performance

Abstract

Activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been linked to the processes of error detection and conflict monitoring, along with the subsequent engagement of cognitive-control mechanisms. The error-related negativity (ERN) is an electrophysiological signal associated with this ACC monitoring process, occurring approximately 100 ms after an error is made. The current study examined the possibility that individual differences in ERN magnitude would predict performance outcomes related to cognitive control. Undergraduate students completed a color-naming Stroop task while their neural activity was recorded via electroencephalogram. Results indicated that a larger ERN following errors was significantly correlated with better academic performance as measured by official student transcripts. A greater ability to monitor performance and engage cognitive-control mechanisms when needed thus appears associated with improved real-world performance.

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