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Predicting Human Errors From Brain Activity

Posted by Soulskill on from the good-with-shock-collars dept.

Hugh Pickens writes "Researchers report that brain activity can be used to predict the likelihood of someone making an error about six seconds in advance, with gradual changes starting as much as 30 seconds ahead of time. The team used an imaging machine to scan the brains of a group of volunteers who performed a task in the presence of distracting information. When performing correctly the volunteers' brains showed increased levels of activity in those parts associated with cognitive effort, as would be expected. However, these areas gradually became less active before errors were made and at the same time another set of regions in the brain became more active. These regions are part of a so-called "default mode network" and show increased use when people are resting or asleep [PDF]. While imaging machines are far too big and complex to be used in workplaces to monitor the brain activity of people engaged in important tasks, the team hopes to correlate errors to changes in electrical activity in the brain with electroencephalography (EEG), using electrodes placed on the scalp. If EEG features can be found that correspond to the change in brain activity, then a hat that gives warning of an imminent mistake might one day become reality. We've previously discussed similar studies of brain activity."

12 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. I agree by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    The parent post makes a very good point. I agree with him wholeheartedly. You may be able to predict actions, but how can you predict whether an action will be an error?

    Mod parent up!

    1. Re:I agree by i+kan+reed · · Score: 5, Funny

      Like the error of forgetting to click "Post Anonymously" when making a post agreeing with yourself.

    2. Re:I agree by FooAtWFU · · Score: 3, Funny

      Therefore, an increase in ACC activity (which will happen in advance of the error occurring) correlates with an increase in likelihood of mistakes. I get distracted and make mistakes when I'm watching basketball games too.
      --
      The World Wide Web is dying. Soon, we shall have only the Internet.
  2. Put electrodes on your scalp to detect errors? by tg2k · · Score: 4, Funny
    Given what it's supposed to tell about people, let me be the first to dub this device "the asshat".

    And I certainly hope it never hits the market.

    1. Re:Put electrodes on your scalp to detect errors? by Harmonious+Botch · · Score: 2, Funny

      I want one when talking to women.

    2. Re:Put electrodes on your scalp to detect errors? by Ox0065 · · Score: 2, Funny

      or maybe the con-dome

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      thx e
  3. an idea... by theheadlessrabbit · · Score: 4, Funny

    Will they ever be able to make a hat that lets slashdot users know if they will be modded '+1 funny' vs '-1 flamebait?' 6 seconds before clicking 'submit?'

    --
    -I only code in BASIC.-
    1. Re:an idea... by dfm3 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes. In fact, I knew that this comment would be modded up, so I just had to post it. *crosses fingers*

  4. thats a Bad Analogy, Guy! by infonography · · Score: 3, Funny

    oh wait.

    --
    Sorry about the writing. Robot fingers, you know? Cliff Steele in DOOM PATROL #23
  5. W7 by powermacx · · Score: 3, Funny

    "You are about to make a mistake. Cancel or Allow?"

  6. Genius, he has it by OMNIpotusCOM · · Score: 3, Funny

    No no, you see, he was proving that you can't predict mistakes before they happen. If someone could, why would they allow him to agree with himself? He's... taking one for the team, if you will.

  7. The Head of the Microsoft Vista development group by monoqlith · · Score: 2, Funny

    was wearing an in-house version of this hat before he decided to release Vista. Unfortunately, the hat was running Vista.