In a simulated gambling task, Bernat et al. [151] examined the relationship between externalizing proneness and the feedback-related negativity (FRN), a brain response that indexes performance monitoring related to exogenous cues. They found delta-P300 amplitude was reduced among individuals high in externalizing proneness whereas theta-FRN response was unrelated to externalizing. The authors suggested that in contrast to previously reported deficits in endogenously based performance monitoring [152] as indexed by the error-related negativity (ERN), individuals prone to externalizing problems show intact monitoring of exogenous cues. The results of Bernat et al. [151] appear to be in contrast with the findings of Kamarajan et al. [150], who reported deficient theta EROs in alcoholics compared to normal controls for the outcome related components. However, there are important differences in the methodologies of these studies in terms of the paradigms used, analysis methods, and subject samples under study. Kamarajan et al. [150] used an abstinent alcoholic sample (DSM-IV) whereas Bernat et al. [151] used a sample of undergraduate students who were classified into high and low proneness to externalizing. Secondly, Kamarajan et al. [150]
