What are event-related potentials?
Event-related potentials (ERPs) reflect the synchronous firing of neuronal populations in response to a discrete event (such as the presentation of a picture). They are recorded from electrodes placed on the scalp, are derived from the electroencephalogram, and provide excellent temporal resolution (on the order of msec) about ongoing cognitive processes.
ERPs are well suited for research with infants because they are non-invasive, do not require the subject to remain motionless for long periods of time, and do not require a behavioral response by the subject. In addition, ERPs provide an excellent covert measure of cognition, allowing researchers to study cognitive processes that may not be directly reflected in behavior. Using source localization techniques (e.g., BESA), researchers can also generate hypotheses about the location of brain structures contributing to an ERP component, thereby improving the spatial resolution of the measurements.