Neural and behavioral aspects of error processing in humans reveal two dissociable stages: domain-general and error-specific processes

The ability to detect and correct errors is a fundamental aspect of human cognitive control, essential for navigating rapidly changing environments. This thesis investigates the temporal dynamics of processes triggered by action errors. These processes include the detection of errors and the identification of their causes, which then guide adjustments in post-error behavior. Research on error processing has been guided by two major perspectives: one suggests that errors help us improve performance, while the other argues that they disrupt ongoing thoughts and actions. This research proposes a middle ground, showing that error processing occurs in two distinct stages: an initial stage, driven by the surprising nature of the error, which can disrupt cognitive and motor processes, followed by a controlled, error-specific stage that improves subsequent performance.

Through three studies, this thesis provides behavioral and neural evidence for these stages. The first study demonstrates the existence of these stages at both behavioral and neural levels. The second study investigates the characteristics of the controlled, error-specific processes that ultimately improve post-error performance. The third study examines the neural mechanisms underlying error-related impairments in working memory, revealing that action errors genuinely disrupt working memory maintenance. Together, these findings help resolve debates about error processing and suggest that error processing ultimately help us adapt and achieve our goals effectively.