Predicting the unknown: Novelty processing depends on expectations

Brain Research
Judith Schomaker, Martijn Meeter

Abstract

Fulfilled predictions lead to neural suppression akin to repetition suppression, but it is currently unclear if such effects generalize to broader stimulus categories in the absence of exact expectations. In particular, does expecting novelty alter the way novel stimuli are processed? In the present study, the effects of expectations on novelty processing were investigated using event-related potentials, while controlling for the effect of repetition. Sequences of five stimuli were presented in a continuous way, such that the last stimulus of a 5-stimulus sequence was followed by the first stimulus of a new 5-stimulus sequence without interruption. The 5-stimulus sequence was predictable: the first three stimuli were preceded by a cue indicating that the next stimulus was likely to be a standard stimulus, and the last two by a cue indicating that the next stimulus was likely to be novel. On some trials a cue typically predicting a standard was in fact followed by an unexpected novel stimulus. This design allowed to investigate the independent effects of (violated) expectations and repetition on novelty processing. The initial detection of expected novels was enhanced compared to unexpected novels, as indexed by a larger anterio...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 29, 2019·Psychophysiology·Robert J BarryBrett MacDonald
May 16, 2020·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience·Richárd ReichardtPéter Simor
Oct 15, 2020·Neurobiology of Learning and Memory·Andrew R Tapper, Susanna Molas
May 21, 2021·Neurobiology of Learning and Memory·J SchomakerM Meeter
May 29, 2021·Neurobiology of Learning and Memory·Darya Frank, Alex Kafkas

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Aphasia

Aphasia affects the ability to process language, including formulation and comprehension of language and speech, as well as the ability to read or write. Here is the latest research on aphasia.

Related Papers

International Journal of Psychophysiology : Official Journal of the International Organization of Psychophysiology
Cassandra RichardsonAlexandra M Hogan
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved