The neural dynamics of self-referential processing in Stroop task: EEG insights from time-frequency and multivariate analysis

Self-referential information holds an advantage in conflict processing, manifested as a reduction of the congruency effect. Despite investigations into this phenomenon via event-related potentials, the underlying neuro dynamics remain elusive. Additionally, it remains contentious whether the modulation of attentional resources is specific to the self or driven by conflict. To elucidate these matters, we employed electroencephalography to record the cerebral activity of 30 healthy individuals engaged in a modified Stroop task. The behavioral outcomes demonstrated that self-referential information reduces the congruency effect. Time-frequency analysis revealed that self-reference condition elicited increase theta event-related synchronization (ERS) and decrease event-related desynchronization (ERD) compared to non-self-reference condition. The incongruent condition elicited increase theta ERS and beta ERD compared to congruent condition. Notably, in the incongruent condition, self-reference condition elicited increased alpha ERD compared to the non-self-reference condition. Spectral MVPA results showed that conflict can be successfully decoded in the theta band, but not in the alpha and beta bands. Interestingly, during the theta band decoding, in the self-reference condition, conflicts were identified earlier compared to non-self-reference condition. Furthermore, self-referential information was successfully decoded across the theta, alpha, and beta bands.