Age Effects on Adjustments of Performance Monitoring to Task Difficulty

Abstract

Performance monitoring which is a core component of the executive functions has been found to be altered in older adults. Specifically, older adults showed smaller amplitudes of the error-related negativity (Ne/ERN) but increased amplitudes of the correct-related negativity (Nc/CRN), and a lack of adjustment to stimulus-response compatibility. The present study used a visual size discrimination task with two difficulty levels to further examine age-related alterations of the adaptation to actual task demands. Older adults showed a cautious response strategy with slower but more accurate responses than younger adults. Both age groups showed post-error slowing. Misperception of errors in the difficult condition was larger in older adults. In contrast to older adults, Ne/ERN amplitudes decreased and Nc/CRN amplitudes increased from the easy to the difficult condition in younger adults. This may indicate that adjustment to task difficulty was reduced in the older age group. It is concluded that conscious perception of errors and adaptation of the automatic performance monitoring to changing task demands are affected by age.