Progressive Centro-Parietal ERP Responses During Contextual Integration Across Symbolic Domains

Abstract Many cognitive processes depend on integrating information as it becomes available to construct meaningful interpretations. Prior work has shown graded and incremental context effects, especially in language, but it remains less clear whether contextual integration exhibits a comparable temporal profile across symbolic domains when structured input is examined within congruent sequences. Twenty-seven participants processed congruent four-element sequences designed to be structurally comparable across lexical, algebraic, and graphical domains while event-related potentials were recorded. In the 250–500 ms interval, mean amplitudes increased systematically with sequence position within a predefined centro-parietal region of interest (p < .001). The Domain × Position interaction did not reach significance (p = .056), although modest domain-related differences in the buildup profile cannot be ruled out. A follow-up analysis showed that the increase to the response-relevant final position was larger than earlier increases (p < .001). Additional analyses indicated maximal amplitudes over parietal sites and the clearest graded increase over central sites. These findings indicate that context-sensitive activity was progressive but not uniform across sequence positions, with the strongest increase occurring when the sequence reached its final, response-relevant completion point. The presence of position-related increases across lexical, algebraic, and graphical domains is consistent with the view that centro-parietal ERP activity in the 250–500 ms window tracks the progressive buildup of contextual integration during structured sequence processing. Context-sensitive ERP activity increased across sequence position. The strongest increase occurred at the final completion point. Maximal amplitudes were observed over parietal electrodes. Central sites best captured graded position-related modulation. Position-related buildup was observed across symbolic domains. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Footnotes This version has been revised to clarify the interpretation of the ERP effect in the 250-500 ms window, emphasizing that the analysis examines context-sensitive activity within congruent sequences rather than a conventional N400 incongruity effect. The title and abstract were updated to better reflect the progressive nature of the position-related response. The Introduction and Discussion were revised to clarify the rationale for focusing on congruent trials and to distinguish contextual buildup from congruent-incongruent contrasts. The Results and Discussion were also revised to provide a more cautious interpretation of domain-related differences and of the enhanced response to the final, response-relevant completion item. Additional methodological clarification was added regarding the color marking and longer presentation duration of the final element. Minor wording changes were made throughout to improve clarity.