ABSTRACT
Abstract Error processing is indispensable for efcient goal-directed performance of human behavior. Decient error processing can lead to perseverative responding and stereotyped repetitive behaviors, which are features that tend to be manifested in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, previous research has suggested that socialemotional and social-cognitive impairments in ASD are associated with
Contents Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437 21.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438 21.2 Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
21.2.1 Literature search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441 21.2.2 Inclusion criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441 21.2.3 Meta-analysis procedure and data analysis . . . . . . . . . 441
21.3 Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441 21.3.1 Error-related negativity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444 21.3.2 Error positivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
21.4 Discussion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449 21.4.1 Error-related negativity and error positivity . . . . . . . . . 449 21.4.2 Implication for the theory of executive dysfunction
in ASD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452 21.4.3 Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
decient error processing. Consequently, studies have examined differences in error-related negativity (ERN or Ne) and error positivity (Pe), two electrophysiological indices of error processing, between healthy controls and ASD. This meta-analysis sought to determine whether there is reliable evidence of diminished error processing in ASD based on current available published studies. The analysis of the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model showed an overall signicant pooled effect size d of 0.63 with 95% condence interval (CI) of 0.26-1.00, p < 0.001 for the ERN amplitude. The result of heterogeneity of the single effects was signicant, Cochrane Q = 13.76, p = 0.032. For the Pe amplitude, the result showed an overall signicant pooled effect size d of 0.38 with the 95% CI of 0.06-0.70, p < 0.01. The result of heterogeneity of the single effects was not signicant, Cochrane Q = 4.22, p = 0.38. These results indicate prominent reduced ERN and slightly altered Pe in ASD as compared to healthy controls and support the idea that a general impairment in error processing underlies social-cognitive disturbance in individuals with ASD.
