Language

Question 1

How does human communication differ from animal communication?

Answer 1

1. semanticity (use of symbols to refer to objects & actions)
2. structure-dependence (use of grammar, or structured “chunks”)
3. creativity (ability to create infinite combinations of symbols)
4. Displacement (references to other points in time).

Question 2

Does language set humans appart?

Answer 2

1. Chimps and gorillas can be taught symbolic language (ASL) but, creativity is limited, especially with respect to syntax.
2. abilities are roughly equivalent to a 2-year old child.

Question 3

Is language separate from intelligence?

Answer 3

1. Unlike most other cognitive skills, formal instruction is not required. (but must occur within a sensitive time period)
2. language ability does not always correlate with intelligence (williams syndrome)
3. mutation of the FOXP@ gene causes severe impairment in language learning
4. language involves special brain structures that are lateralized.

Question 4

How and when did language evolve?

Answer 4

1. Modern forms of articulatory structures and FOXP2 gene evolved relatively recently (125-150 TYA) and are not present in apes.
2. speech probability evolved from communication via gestures and vocalizations.

Question 5

What do we know about the modularity of language?

Answer 5

1. different aspects of language processing are localized in different brain regions.
2. Evidence: aphasia, brain stimulation, functional neuroimaging

Question 6

What is broca’s aphasia?

Answer 6

1. impairment in language production
2. 1 slow, effortful speech and writing (agraphia)
3. 2 poor articulation
4. 3 few function words
5. 4 signs of frustration.
6. relatively good comprehension. (problem with complex syntax)

3 damage to left frontal lobe.

Question 7

What is wernicke’s aphasia

Answer 7

1. Impairment in language comprehension (both spoken and written)
2. relatively good production
3. 1 grammatic, but devoid of meaning
4. 2 problem with semantics rather than syntax.
5. 3 lack of awareness of deficit.
6. damage to left temporal lobe.

Question 8

What is the Wernicke- Geschwind model?

Answer 8

1. group of structures involved in language processing.

Question 9

What is conduction aphasia?

Answer 9

1. damage to arcuate fasciculus. (connection to wenickes and brocas areas.)
2. intact comprehension
3. fluent production, but often nonsensical
4. impairment in word repetition

Question 10

What is pure alexia?

Answer 10

1. damage to angular gyrus- connection between visual cortex and Wernickes area
2. selective deficit to reading

Question 11

How does aphasia effect deaf singers?

Answer 11

1. Damage to brocas and wernicke’s areas produces deficits in ASL production & comprehension, respectively.
2. strongly suggests these areas are specialized for communication, not limited to spoken language.

Question 12

what is lateralization of function?

Answer 12

1. the localization of a neurological function in one hemisphere or the other.
2. loosely related to handedness
3. observed in other species
4. causal factors are poorly understood.

Question 13

Whats up with split brain patients?

Answer 13

1. disconnected between the two hemispheres

2. a surgical treatment for severe epilepsy.

Question 14

How do you test for split brain?

Answer 14

1. Tested by presenting a visual stimulus in only visual field (i.e. to one hemisphere)
2. the RH can comprehend simple words and commands, but cannot produce language.
3. The LH is specialized for language.

Question 15

Music and intonation (RH)

Answer 15

1. right temporal lobe damage produces impairments in- music recognition (amusia), voice recognition (phonagnosia) and other tonal aspects of speech.

Question 16

spacial perception (RH)

Answer 16

Right inferior parietal lobe damage produces neglect
2. right fusiform gyrus (occipito-temporal) damage produces a deficit in face recognition (prosopagnosia)- impaired “holistic” processing.