SS-13 Is Physiological Feedback Impacted by the Perceived Gender of the Presenter?

Electroencephalogram (EEG) research has previously demonstrated that the type of feedback individuals receive can impact their neurological responses by creating either a positive or negative waveform/amplitude. These responses to certain cognitive tasks are referred to as Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) and when people receive negative feedback it produces Feedback-Related Negativity (FRN). FRNs are typically observed around 200-400ms after feedback is presented. This study specifically investigates FRN responses as they relate to a feedback presenter’s gender. There is limited research on FRN responses and even less that investigate FRNs as they relate to gender. The current study seeks to explore how neurological response is influenced by the perceived gender of the presenter of feedback utilizing an EEG and a pattern recognition task. Participants are presented with a pattern of nine randomized letters. Participants are then shown a slide with two letters where the participant is asked to recall which of the two was presented in the previous pattern using a response input device. To guarantee events lead to a FRN response, 64 of the 200 questions lack a correct option, resulting in an incorrect feedback slide for either response. The feedback screens vary across blocks, with two blocks consisting of female photos and two with male photos. If the participant correctly identifies the letter from the presented pattern, the photo will be of the male or female smiling. If the participant incorrectly identifies the letter, the photo will be of the male or female frowning. Participants are equipped with a 64-channel hydrocel EEG while completing the task to measure scalp related potentials associated with feedback. Preliminary results indicate an anticipated increase in negative amplitude for feedback screens showing a male compared to a female. The valance of the feedback does not have a significant effect on the FRN response.