Behavioral and brain pattern differences between acting and observing in an auditory task
2009

Brain Activity Differences Between Actors and Observers in an Auditory Task

Sample size: 14 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Karanasiou Irene S, Papageorgiou Charalabos, Tsianaka Eleni I, Matsopoulos George K, Ventouras Errikos M, Uzunoglu Nikolaos K

Primary Institution: Institute of Communications and Computer Systems, National Technical University of Athens

Hypothesis

The study aims to examine the patterns of brain activity of actors and observers elicited upon receiving feedback information of the actor's response.

Conclusion

Feedback information has a different effect on the ERP patterns of actors and observers depending on whether the actor committed an error.

Supporting Evidence

  • The complexity of the task affected performance, with poorer results in more complex conditions.
  • Observers showed greater brain activity when the actor made an error compared to when the actor was correct.
  • The study utilized ERP measurements to analyze brain activity during the task.

Takeaway

When people act or watch someone else act, their brains respond differently, especially if the actor makes a mistake.

Methodology

Participants performed an auditory identification task in both acting and observing roles while their brain activity was recorded using ERP measurements.

Limitations

The sample size was small, and the findings need to be replicated in larger studies.

Participant Demographics

Fourteen healthy individuals (eight men and six women) with a mean age of 26.6 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1744-9081-5-5

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