The Pe of Perfectionism
Concern Over Mistakes Predicts the Amplitude of a Late Frontal Error Positivity
Abstract
The present research investigates the association between concern over mistakes (CoM), a facet of the personality style of perfectionism, and the error positivity (Pe), a response-locked event-related brain potential that relates to error-awareness. Sixteen healthy right-handed female participants performed a flanker task, during which response-locked event-related potentials were measured. CoM was related to a larger Pe at frontal electrodes in a late (400–500 ms post-response) time interval. This frontal late Pe was not related to general trait anxiety. An earlier (150–350 ms) Pe with a more centroparietal maximum was positively associated with accuracy in the flanker task. CoM was not related to the amplitude of the error-related negativity. Exploratory analyses revealed correlations of CoM with reduced state arousal and late positive potential responses to emotional aspects of the feedback stimuli. The latter findings suggest the possibility that, instead of to an increased Pe, high CoM related to a decreased emotional arousal-sensitive stimulus-preceding negativity in anticipation of negative feedback. CoM may thus be associated with avoidant coping with the negative emotional impact of error feedback.
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