Readiness potential, vertex positive wave, contingent negative variation and accuracy of perception

The readiness potential (RP), contingent negative variation (CNV) and vertex positive wave (P302) were recorded in a situation where subjects were asked to present themselves with brief visual stimuli, to attempt to perceive them correctly and subsequently, on cue, to report their perceptions. The results show that the RP preceding the button press leading to the presentation of the stimulus was a reliable index of the neural events associated with subsequent correct or incorrect perception. P302, although showing clear localization at the vertex, was not reliably correlated with the behavioral response. The CNV was shown to be related in this situation to motivation/expectancy/attention factors following the perception and preceding the report. These results are discussed in relation to other work with these phenomena, and the conclusion is drawn that the RP and the CNV reflect common underlying neural processes when both are studied in complex (global) psychological situations.