ABSTRACT
The Man-Neuron-Model strategy of psychophysiological research suggests an integration of different levels of analysis to reach a deeper understanding of psychological phenomena. Such an explanation bridges the neuronal level of information processing with cognitive functions in the framework of a model built up from neuron-like elements. A model like this must fulfill two functions. Overall, the model has to simulate the respective cognitive phenomenon. At the same time, each neuron-like element participating in a particular model (or an element of a model) of a cognitive process has to correspond to a response of a real neuron recorded under psychophysical experimental conditions. To link the results of single unit recordings often obtained in animal experiments with the psychophysical data of cognitive research studies in man, it is particularly useful to examine event-related potentials (ERPs). The configuration of an ERP results from contributions of neuronal populations involved in information processing. The comparison of ERPs and spikes in animal experiments can reveal the neuronal basis of cognitive functions in humans when psychophysical procedures are accompanied by the recording of ERPs.
