The ability to predict the timing of forthcoming events, known as temporal expectation, has a strong impact on human information processing. Although there is growing consensus that temporal expectations enhance perception, it remains unclear whether they affect the decision process itself, or non-decisional (sensory / motor) processes. Here, participants used predictive auditory cues to anticipate the timing of low-contrast visual imperative stimuli. Modelling of the behavioral data indicated that temporal expectations speeded up non-decisional processes but had no effect on decision formation. Electrophysiological recordings confirmed and extended this result: temporal expectations hastened the onset of a neural signature of decision formation, consistent with faster sensory encoding, but had no effect on its build-up rate. Anticipatory alpha-band power was modulated by temporal expectation, and co-varied with intrinsic trial-by-trial variability in behavioral and neural signatures of sensory encoding speed. These findings highlight how temporal predictions optimize our interaction with unfolding sensory events.

Temporal expectation hastens sensory encoding but does not affect evidence quality