Performance monitoring among non-patients with obsessive–compulsive symptoms: ERP evidence of aberrant feedback monitoring

Electrophysiological studies have shown that obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with hyperactive performance monitoring, as indexed by the error-related negativity (ERN). The aim of the present study was to determine whether feedback monitoring is enhanced in addition to error monitoring among young adults with obsessive–compulsive symptomatology during performance of a learning task. The ERN was equivalent in amplitude for low and high OC groups. The feedback-related negativity (FRN) was more negative following presentation of incorrect feedback relative to correct feedback for the low OC group. For the high OC group, the FRN was equivalent in amplitude for correct and incorrect feedback. Young adults with high levels of obsessive–compulsive symptoms demonstrate aberrant feedback monitoring characterised by a lack of differentiation to the valence of feedback. This pattern of results may be indicative of a cognitive bias in outcome prediction associated with obsessive–compulsive symptomatology.

► Participants with low and high levels of OC symptoms performed a learning task.
► ERN of comparable amplitude between low and high OC groups.
► More negative FRN for incorrect compared to correct feedback for low OC group.
► Equivalent FRN for correct and incorrect feedback for high OC group.
► Young adults with elevated OC symptoms demonstrate aberrant feedback monitoring.