Exam 3: Ch 11-14 Flashcards
Classical Language Processing Model
Traditional view that emphasizes specific brain regions for processing, primarily Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas
Mental Lexicon
Cognitive storage system that organizes linguistic information in a semantic network structure
Components of Mental Lexicon
Word form, syntactic information, and conceptual knowledge
Main Challenge in Speech Perception
Continuous speech lacks clear physical word boundaries
Coarticulation
Process where words blend together in continuous speech, making segmentation difficult
Speech Perception Strategies
Prosody, syllable stress analysis, and contextual information processing
Primary Areas of Acoustic Processing
Main auditory cortex and regions sensitive to tones, speech sounds, and word recognition
Sensitivity Gradient in Language Processing
Range from low sensitivity in prefrontal cortex to high sensitivity in superior temporal sulcus
Selfridge Model Components
System that analyzes letter features to identify best-matched letters
McLelland and Rumelhart Model Layers
Feature layer, letter layer, and word layer working in an integrated system
Speech Segmentation Example
How “What do you mean?” appears as one continuous sound rather than separate words
Recent Research Development
Shows language processing is more complex than initially theorized by classical models
Category-Specific Processing
Unique feature of mental lexicon that supports specialized language understanding
Brain Regions for Speech Sound Analysis
Areas specifically dedicated to processing general tones and speech sounds
Pattern Recognition Challenge
Why letter features alone are insufficient for complete word comprehension
Visual Word Form Area (VWFA)
A brain region specialized in word recognition with strong connectivity to language networks
EEG Language Response - N400
Brain’s response indicating semantic processing and meaning integration
EEG Language Response - P600
Brain’s response associated with syntactic processing and grammatical structure
Speech and Word Processing Components
Combination of distinct neural networks and overlapping processing regions in the brain
Context-Dependent Language
Process where individual words are interpreted within the broader linguistic environment
Language Processing Location
Dynamic, interconnected brain networks rather than strictly localized regions
Neural Integration in Language
Combination of acoustic processing, visual pattern recognition, and semantic/syntactic context
Broca’s Aphasia
Language disorder affecting speech production and grammar
Wernicke’s Aphasia
Language disorder affecting comprehension and meaningful content
Orthographic to Phonological Conversion
Process of transforming written text into spoken language
Semantic Violation Example
Words that create meaning inconsistency in context (like “lunch tomorrow night”)
What is language processing?
A complex cognitive system enabling rapid communication through multiple levels of analysis
What are the five levels of language analysis?
Sounds, Words, Sentence structure, Discourse context, World knowledge
What is the Mental Lexicon?
A mental store of linguistic information containing semantic, syntactic, and word form information
What types of information does semantic memory store?
Word meanings, word combinations, and visual/sound/gesture patterns
How many words are in the average English mental lexicon?
Approximately 50,000 words
How quickly can word recognition occur?
Less than 500 milliseconds
What are the key characteristics of the Mental Lexicon?
Fast word recognition, not organized like a dictionary, and dynamic system that can add/forget/prioritize words
What are the four types of linguistic information in semantic networks?
Phonological, Morphological, Semantic, and Syntactic
How are words organized in the mental lexicon?
In interconnected semantic networks where conceptually similar words are closer together
What was significant about Elizabeth Warrington’s studies?
Discovered patients with selective naming difficulties for specific categories
What are the three main categories of semantic organization?
Living Things, Man-made Objects, and Persons
How is the category of Living Things processed?
Processed differently from other categories according to Warrington studies
How are Man-made Objects processed?
Through distinct neural processing shown by neuroimaging research
What is category-specific deficit?
A condition where patients struggle to name specific categories of objects while retaining ability to name others
What characterizes the processing of Person-related information?
Unique neural activation patterns demonstrated by PET scan studies
Brain Region for Person Naming
The temporal pole
Brain Region for Animal Naming
Middle inferior temporal gyri
Brain Region for Tool Naming
Posterior inferior temporal gyrus
Word Knowledge in Average Adult
10,000-20,000 words
Word Processing Speed
Can recognize and produce approximately 3 words per second
Key Characteristics of Language Learning
Children acquire it naturally without explicit instruction
Primary Challenges in Language Research
Linguistic complexity, semantic ambiguity, and multiple processing levels
Evidence of Categorical Brain Organization
Brain lesion locations correspond to specific naming deficits
Mental Lexicon Definition
The collective store of information about semantics, syntax, orthography, and phonology
Processing Theory Components
Involves both sensory-perceptual and functional information processing
Network Organization Principle
Words with stronger associations have shorter distances between them
Language Processing Speed
Rapid integration of multiple linguistic information types simultaneously
What is language lateralization?
The predominant processing of language in the left hemisphere of the brain
What percentage of right-handed individuals show left-hemisphere language processing?
96%
What percentage of left-handed individuals show left-hemisphere language processing?
76%
What is the Wada Test used for?
Anesthetizes one hemisphere to determine language laterality by looking at BOLD signaling
What is the Silent Word Generation Task?
A method where subjects generate words silently to map brain activation
What is aphasia?
A language comprehension or production deficit following brain damage
What percentage of stroke patients experience aphasia?
40%
What are the main characteristics of Broca’s Aphasia?
Difficulty producing words, limited to single words or short sentences, but understand what they want to say
What is agrammatism?
Deficits in processing grammatical aspects of language, particularly in Broca’s Aphasia
How do Broca’s Aphasia patients handle complex syntax?
They have difficulty understanding sentences with complex structure, like passive voice
What is a key symptom of function word usage in Broca’s Aphasia?
Omission of function words like “the” or “to”
What are the main characteristics of Wernicke’s Aphasia?
Trouble comprehending language, fluent but nonsensical speech, unaware of errors
What is Anomic Aphasia?
A condition where patients have difficulty naming objects but can describe their function
How does the chair example demonstrate Anomic Aphasia?
Patient cannot name a chair but can describe its uses (sitting, napping)
What is Agraphia?
The inability to write due to motor dysfunction or spelling inability
What is Dysarthria?
A motor speech disorder involving muscle control problems in speech production
What is Alexia?
The inability to read while maintaining ability to spell and write
Where is Broca’s Area located?
Left inferolateral prefrontal cortex (pars opercularis, pars triangularis)
What are the three main functions of Broca’s Area?
Speech production, motor images of words, and syntactic processing
What is the Cookie Theft Picture Test?
A diagnostic tool where patients with Broca’s aphasia attempt to describe a picture, revealing speech production difficulties
How can Broca’s area be studied experimentally?
Through transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) disruption
Wernicke’s Area Location
Posterior third of left superior temporal gyrus
Classical Model Limitation
Recent studies show language processing involves broader networks, not just specific regions
Components of Language Processing Network
Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, inferior frontal cortex, superior temporal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, angular gyrus, arcuate fasciculus
Global Aphasia Cause
Results from damage to the entire language processing network, affecting both speech and comprehension
Broca’s Historical Cases Revelation
High-resolution MRI showed more extensive brain damage and lesions beyond originally identified regions
Wernicke’s Aphasia Characteristics
Patients show intact semantic priming but struggle with integrating words into sentence context
Simple vs Complex Syntax
Simple involves basic sentence structures, while complex includes reversible passives and relative clauses
Language Processing Modern View
A distributed cognitive function involving multiple brain regions and intricate processing networks
Agrammatic Aphasia
Condition where patients have difficulty using syntax to interpret sentence meaning
Speech Comprehension Center
Area responsible for processing auditory images of words and understanding spoken language
Language Deficit Post Brain Injury
General term for impairments in language comprehension and production following brain trauma
