Feedback-Related Negativity as a Neural Indicator of Executive Function in Preschoolers

Abstract

Executive function (EF) is a set of higher-order cognitive skills that support early learning and development. EF is highly influenced by environmental factors such as exposure to stress and social interaction. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is one of the primary neural regions underlying EF. As the PFC develops during early childhood, the brain begins to lay the groundwork for more complex processing. One neural component that supports EF, feedback-related negativity (FRN), is measurable using electroencephalography (EEG), a device that measures the brain’s electrical activity. FRN is observed following both positive and negative feedback and is generated by the PFC. Although FRN is theorized to represent EF, little is known about the FRN development in early childhood: a period of critical EF development. We predict that children’s FRN will be positively related to a behavioral measure of EF, which was collected during a previous study. Thus, we propose that FRN will reflect an early neural indicator of EF. Previous research has used tasks without intermittent reinforcement making it difficult to maintain children’s attention. We will be using the Doors Game, which is a novel feedback-based task providing intermittent random reinforcement to children upon their selection between two doors. This task presents the reward immediately alongside feedback, thus it is more age-appropriate due to its ability to sustain their motivation. As feedback processing serves an important role in early childhood development and may serve as a novel indicator of EF, it is a promising area for research.