Impact of intention on the ERP correlates of face recognition

► We manipulated the task-instructions and study-test expression change on a face recognition task. ► ERP old/new effects related to familiarity (FN400) and recollection (LPC) were found. ► The FN400 old/new effect was modulated by the task instructions, while familiarity was kept constant. ► FN400 is related not only to automatic memory processes but also to the task-processing context.