Event-Related Potentials (ERP) evidence of predictive coding account of time perception in the sub-second range oddball tasks

ABSTRACT This paper aims to examine the controversial effects of repetition suppression, predictability, and pitch of an auditory stimulus on its perceived duration and Event-Related Potentials (ERP). Behavioral results indicated that the repetition suppression and pitch increase lead to time overestimation. ERP analysis showed that the amplitude of N1, P2, N2, and P3 components decreased with each repetition of the standard stimulus. Whereas they increased after the oddball stimulus. Furthermore, a significant increase in N1 and N2 amplitude evoked by the unpredictable stimulus was observed. P2 and P3 (occurring about 200ms after the tone onset and offset, respectively) were significantly affected by tone pitch and duration, respectively. The predictive coding theory provides an account for the above effects. Adaptation causes a reduction in the amplitude of all components. At N1 and N2, sensory input information and predictions are compared, but pieces of evidence are accumulated 200ms later at P2 and P3.