Learning something new versus changing your ways: Distinct effects on midfrontal oscillations and cardiac activity for learning and flexible adjustments

We need to be able learn new behaviour, but also capable of changing existing routines, when they start conflicting with our long-term goals. Little is known about what extent blank-slate learning and adjustment behavioural routines rely on different neural bodily mechanisms. In the current study, participants first acquired novel stimulus–response contingencies, which were subsequently randomly changed create for flexible adjustments. measured midfrontal theta oscillations via EEG as an indicator conflict processing, well heart rate a proxy autonomic activity. Participants’ trial-wise progress was estimated computation modelling. Theta power significantly differed between correct incorrect trials. Differences trials in both cardiac feedback processing more pronounced adjustments compared learning. This indicates that are sensitive changes contingencies. Increases individual rates predicted lower impact performance power, higher rate. suggests reactivity partially reflective mechanisms related Our results shed light role