Sequence effects support the conflict theory of N2 and P3 in the Go/NoGo task

In two-choice tasks the preceding sequence of stimuli robustly influences both the P3 ERP component and reaction time (RT) to the current stimulus. We examined sequenceeffects in both two-choice and Go/NoGotasks to distinguish between inhibition and conflict accounts of the N2 and P3 components. RT results suggested similar subjective expectancies were generated in the Go/NoGo and two-choice task. N2 was increased for all unexpected stimuli, even when no response inhibition was required, consistent with a conflict interpretation. The Go/NoGoP3 results also suggested a conflict explanation, and that this conflict was reduced if the response had been recently performed. These results support a reconsideration of the roles of N2 and P3 in all inhibition and conflicttasks, and the Go/NoGotask in particular.