Subtype analysis of commission errors on the continuous performance test in children

Abstract

Most investigators agree that errors of omission on the continuous performance test (CPT) reflect some aspect of inattention; however, there is less agreement regarding the significance of commission errors. Although many investigators believe that commission errors reflect impulsivity, others are skeptical. We proposed that CPT commission errors do not comprise a unitary measure and that subtypes can be distinguished based on the specific nature of the errors. Our investigation identified four subtypes of commission errors and found that reaction times associated with them differed significantly, in agreement with a priori predictions, suggesting that they reflect differential underlying psychological processes. Although certain commission errors appear to reflect impulsivity, the data suggest that others do not.