Neurolinguistic research methods Flashcards
Which brain regions are traditionally associated with language processing?
Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area are traditionally associated with language production and comprehension, respectively.
What methods are commonly used in cognitive neuroscience to study language?
Common methods include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET), electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetoencephalography (MEG).
What is the modularity hypothesis in language processing?
The modularity hypothesis posits that certain cognitive functions, including language, are governed by specialized, independent modules in the brain.
What is the connectionist model of language processing?
The connectionist model suggests that language processing is distributed across a network of interconnected neural units rather than localized to specific brain regions.
How does Kemmerer describe the role of Broca’s area in language?
Broca’s area is primarily involved in language production, syntax, and complex grammatical structures.
What role does Wernicke’s area play in language processing according to Kemmerer?
Wernicke’s area is crucial for language comprehension and the processing of semantic information.
What is the dual-stream model of language processing?
The dual-stream model proposes two pathways for language processing: the dorsal stream, which is involved in mapping sounds to motor representations, and the ventral stream, which is involved in mapping sounds to meanings.
Can you explain the concept of “aphasia” as discussed in Kemmerer’s book?
Aphasia is a language disorder resulting from brain damage, typically affecting speech production, comprehension, or both, depending on the area of the brain that is damaged.
What evidence supports the existence of specialized language areas in the brain?
Evidence includes lesion studies, neuroimaging data, and cases of aphasia where damage to specific brain regions leads to predictable language deficits.
How does Kemmerer address the interaction between language and other cognitive functions?
Kemmerer discusses how language processing is integrated with other cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, and executive control, highlighting the interconnected nature of the brain’s cognitive systems.
What is the significance of lateralization in language processing?
Lateralization refers to the tendency for some neural functions or cognitive processes to be more dominant in one hemisphere than the other; language is typically lateralized to the left hemisphere in right-handed individuals.
How does Kemmerer describe the role of neuroplasticity in language?
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, which is crucial for language recovery after injury and for language learning.
What are some limitations of lesion studies in understanding language processing?
Lesion studies can be limited by variability in lesion location and extent, individual differences in brain anatomy, and the brain’s capacity for reorganization and compensation.
How do neuroimaging techniques contribute to our understanding of language processing?
Neuroimaging techniques, such as fMRI and PET, allow researchers to visualize and measure brain activity in real-time, providing insights into which areas are involved in different aspects of language processing.
What role does the arcuate fasciculus play in language processing?
The arcuate fasciculus is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, facilitating communication between regions involved in language production and comprehension.
