13 Sensory and Motor Aspects of the Contingent Negative Variation

Evidence supporting a multi-component interpretation of the Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) is reviewed. Two major components are considered to form the CNV: an early component (herein called the “O wave”), and a terminal wave. It is argued that the 0 wave is a general response to salient or novel stimuli, which can be elicited in both CNV and non-CNV situations. The terminal wave is interpreted as being related to motor response processes, and is identified with the readiness potential component of the motor potential complex. Evidence for a “true CNV,” having the traditionally ascribed anticipatory features, is considered to be amenable to interpretation in terms of the individual 0 wave and terminal CNV components.