Performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation: a social N400 and CNV event-related potential study
The N400 event-related potential (ERP) indexes the semantic processing of words. Recently, social N400 effects were reported: N400 amplitudes were found to be larger in the presence of a confederate. We tested whether this increase would be even larger in participants with friends (Pwfs). This was n...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1475106/full |
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| author | Sujata Sinha Sujata Sinha Ashley Chau-Morris Ashley Chau-Morris Milena Kostova J. Bruno Debruille J. Bruno Debruille J. Bruno Debruille |
| author_facet | Sujata Sinha Sujata Sinha Ashley Chau-Morris Ashley Chau-Morris Milena Kostova J. Bruno Debruille J. Bruno Debruille J. Bruno Debruille |
| author_sort | Sujata Sinha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The N400 event-related potential (ERP) indexes the semantic processing of words. Recently, social N400 effects were reported: N400 amplitudes were found to be larger in the presence of a confederate. We tested whether this increase would be even larger in participants with friends (Pwfs). This was not the case: whether the words were coherent, incoherent or equivocal, N400s were not larger in Pwfs than in alones. According to the N400 inhibition hypothesis, the social N400 effects previously reported with confederates could then be due to the automatic sidelining of information that occurs when building a common ground with a stranger. Interestingly, contingent negative variations (CNVs) developed as the words had to be classified at the occurrence of an imperative stimulus that followed. PwFs had larger CNVs than alones, suggesting heightened preparation to this imperative stimulus. Unexpectedly, the larger this effect, the less confident PwFs were in their classifications. Given their higher levels of state anxiety before and after the experiment, it thus seems that the presence of someone else completing the same task, even if it is a friend, induces performance pressure, enhances anxiety and preparation, and diminishes self-confidence. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e2c54c250844fe0af4c779fdffdb2db |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e2c54c250844fe0af4c779fdffdb2db2025-08-20T03:00:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-03-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.14751061475106Performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation: a social N400 and CNV event-related potential studySujata Sinha0Sujata Sinha1Ashley Chau-Morris2Ashley Chau-Morris3Milena Kostova4J. Bruno Debruille5J. Bruno Debruille6J. Bruno Debruille7Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CanadaResearch Center of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, QC, CanadaResearch Center of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, QC, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CanadaUR Paragraphe, Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Saint-Denis, FranceDepartment of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CanadaResearch Center of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, QC, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, CanadaThe N400 event-related potential (ERP) indexes the semantic processing of words. Recently, social N400 effects were reported: N400 amplitudes were found to be larger in the presence of a confederate. We tested whether this increase would be even larger in participants with friends (Pwfs). This was not the case: whether the words were coherent, incoherent or equivocal, N400s were not larger in Pwfs than in alones. According to the N400 inhibition hypothesis, the social N400 effects previously reported with confederates could then be due to the automatic sidelining of information that occurs when building a common ground with a stranger. Interestingly, contingent negative variations (CNVs) developed as the words had to be classified at the occurrence of an imperative stimulus that followed. PwFs had larger CNVs than alones, suggesting heightened preparation to this imperative stimulus. Unexpectedly, the larger this effect, the less confident PwFs were in their classifications. Given their higher levels of state anxiety before and after the experiment, it thus seems that the presence of someone else completing the same task, even if it is a friend, induces performance pressure, enhances anxiety and preparation, and diminishes self-confidence.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1475106/fullsocial N400ssemantic processingparticipants with a friendalonescommon ground buildinginformation sidelining |
| spellingShingle | Sujata Sinha Sujata Sinha Ashley Chau-Morris Ashley Chau-Morris Milena Kostova J. Bruno Debruille J. Bruno Debruille J. Bruno Debruille Performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation: a social N400 and CNV event-related potential study Frontiers in Psychology social N400s semantic processing participants with a friend alones common ground building information sidelining |
| title | Performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation: a social N400 and CNV event-related potential study |
| title_full | Performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation: a social N400 and CNV event-related potential study |
| title_fullStr | Performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation: a social N400 and CNV event-related potential study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation: a social N400 and CNV event-related potential study |
| title_short | Performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation: a social N400 and CNV event-related potential study |
| title_sort | performing a task with a friend does not change semantic processes but preparation a social n400 and cnv event related potential study |
| topic | social N400s semantic processing participants with a friend alones common ground building information sidelining |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1475106/full |
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