News Neuroscience

Making a mistake can put your brain on ‘pause’

Study shows how one error can lead to another

multiple choice mistake

DOMINO EFFECT  When people have to make many decisions very quickly, making one mistake can decrease accuracy on the next choice, too.

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By Laurel Hamers

- More than 2 years ago

Mistakes can be learning opportunities, but the brain needs time for lessons to sink in.

When facing a fast and furious stream of decisions, even the momentary distraction of noting an error can decrease accuracy on the next choice, researchers report in the March 15 Journal of Neuroscience.