Contextual Expectations in the Real-World Modulate Low-Frequency Neural Oscillations

Objects in expected locations are recognised faster and more accurately than objects in incongruent environments. This congruency effect has a neural component, with increased activity for objects in incongruent environments. Studies have increasingly shown differences between neural processes in realistic environments and tasks, and neural processes in the laboratory. Here, we aimed to push the boundaries of traditional cognitive neuroscience by tracking the congruency effect for objects in real world environments, outside of the lab. We investigated how neural activity is modulated when objects are placed in real environments using augmented reality while recording mobile EEG. Participants approached, viewed, and rated how congruent they found the objects with the environment. We found significant differences in ERPs and higher theta-band power for objects in incongruent contexts than objects in congruent contexts. This demonstrates that real-world contexts impacts how objects are processed, and that mobile brain imaging and augmented reality are effective tools to study cognition in the wild.