language and speech (3.5)

Question 1

why human language stands out

Answer 1

productivity: ability to produce new signals to represent new ideas

Question 2

overall intelligence vs specialized brain module theory of language evolution

Answer 2

overall intelligence: normal intelligence = normal language
specialized brain module: built-in mechanisms for language acquisition (supported by the fact that damage to left frontal and temporal cortex affects language)

Question 3

problems with overall intelligence theory (2)

Answer 3

1) normal intelligence, but genetic condition impairs language
2) Williams syndrome: cognitive impairment but good language

Question 4

localization

Answer 4

the locations within a hemisphere that participate in language-related activities

Question 5

areas of cortex thought to contribute to our ability to comprehend and to produce written and spoken language (all in left hemisphere) (7)

Answer 5

primary visual cortex, primary auditory cortex, angular gyrus, Wernicke’s area, arcuate fasciculus, Broca’s area, primary motor cortex (see functions in notes)

Question 6

Wernicke-Geschwind model (spoken language, written words)

Answer 6

spoken language: processed by auditory cortex then conducted to Wernicke’s area where meaning is understood
written words: information flows from visual cortex to angular gyrus (translates visual codes into an auditory code) then to Wernicke’s area; IF response necessary: further translates thought processes into verbal responses transmitted to Broca’s area via the arcuate fasciculus then neurons of M1 ultimately trigger muscles

Question 7

aphasia

Answer 7

a deficit in language comprehension (receptive) or production (expressive) due to brain damage, usually on the left

Question 8

Broca’s aphasia

Answer 8

normal comprehension of both written and spoken language; meaningful speech that is slow, labored, and poorly articulated; writing difficultues

Question 9

names for Broca’s aphasia (4)

Answer 9

production, expressive, nonfluent, Broca’s

Question 10

Wernicke’s aphasia

Answer 10

poor comprehension of both written and spoken language; speech that is articulate but often meaningless (“word salad”); writing difficulties

Question 11

names for Wernicke’s aphasia (4)

Answer 11

comprehension, receptive, fluent, Wernicke’s

Question 12

Dejerine reading aphasia

Answer 12

damage to the left angular gyrus; no difficulty speaking or understanding speech; alexia (inability to read); agraphia (inability to write)

Question 13

conduction aphasia

Answer 13

selective damage to the arcuate fasciculus; poor repetition of unfamiliar words

Question 14

effects of cortical damage (anterior vs posterior lesions)

Answer 14

anterior lesions = expressive aphasia
posterior lesions = receptive aphasia

Question 15

effects of electrical stimulation

Answer 15

disruptions in language and speech; major differences in cortical organization of language among patients

Question 16

sign language

Answer 16

a fully autonomous, visual-spatial language with similar kinds of organizational principles as spoken language; uses same cortical areas in left hemisphere as when comprehending and producing speech

Question 17

dyslexia

Answer 17

reading difficulties not due to some other deficit

Question 18

developmental vs acquired dyslexia

Answer 18

developmental: becomes apparent when the affected person is learning to read (more common in boys; 50% heritability)
acquired: due to brain damage; relatively rare

Question 19

theories to explain developmental dyslexia (3)

Answer 19

magnosystem hypothesis (processing in dorsal stream of visual system impaired, resulting in decreased activation of angular gyrus), temporal processing impairment, phonological deficit theory (disturbance of processing speech sounds)