When cognitive control is calibrated: Event-related potential correlates of adapting to information-processing conflict despite erroneous response preparation

To examine when in the percept ion-action cycle resolving information-processing, conflict modulates signals of the Current need for cognitive control, the present work examined event-related potential correlates of response preparation (lateralized readiness potentials, LRPs) and of information-processing conflict (fronto-central N2 responses) on trial n flanker trials, as a function of whether trial n-1 entailed a congruent flanker, an incongruent flanker, or a NoGo cue Although LRP-indexed erroneous response preparation was substantial on incongruent trials across all levels of trial n 1, N2 amplitudes and behavioral interference effects were attenuated on incongruent. trials following NoGo and incongruent (relative to congruent) trials. Even after initial attentional and motor-preparation processes have transpired, then, relatively later control mechanisms appear sufficient to signal a reduced need to engage cognitive control anew.