A Neurotemporal Model of Heuristic Suppression Failure in Bias Responses During Basketball Passing Decisions

To chart the neurotemporal dynamics of corrective failure, we recorded electroencephalography from 30 elite basketball players as they performed a passing decision task. In a within-subjects design, a heuristic cue (a recommended pass) either Conflicted with the optimal action derived from video stimuli (Conflict condition) or aligned with it (Nonconflict condition). Behaviorally, the Conflict manipulation incurred significant costs: accuracy was lower in the Conflict condition, and when players succumbed to the bias, they exhibited longer response times and lower confidence compared to correct Nonconflict decisions. Neurally, we charted a progressive breakdown of corrective control. A preresponse P2-P3b-N500 cascade, reflecting effort, but insufficient corrective attempt, was followed by a postresponse error-related negativity signaling the detection of the failure. This provides the first electrophysiological evidence that such failures are not instantaneous but are a dynamic, sequential process. Our findings advance decision-making theory from static system descriptions to a dynamic, process-level understanding.