Electrophysiological correlates of (mis)judging social information

Abstract

Social information can be used to optimize decision making. However, the simultaneous presentation of multiple sources of advice can lead to a distinction bias in judging the validity of the information. While involvement of event-related potential (ERP) components in social information processing has been studied, how they are modulated by (mis)judging advisors information validity remains unknown. In two experiments participants performed a decision making task with highly accurate or inaccurate cues. Each experiment consisted of a initial, learning and test phase. During the learning phase three advice cues were simultaneously presented and the validity of them had to be assessed. The effect of different cue constellations on ERPs was investigated. In the subsequent test phase, the willingness to follow or oppose an advice cue was tested. Results demonstrated the distinction bias with participants over or underestimating the accuracy of the most uncertain cues. The P2 amplitude was significantly increased during cue presentation when advisors were in disagreement as compared to when all were in agreement, regardless of cue validity. Further, a larger P3 amplitude during outcome presentation was found when advisors were in disagreement and increased with more informative cues. As such, most uncertain cues were related to the smallest P3 amplitude. Findings suggest that misjudgment of social information is related to P3 amplitude subserving evaluation information and learning. This study provides novel insights into the role of P2 and P3 components during judgement of social information validity.