speaking brain 1 -cogneuro 9 Flashcards
(18 cards)
What triggers a large N400 response??
Contextually anomalous or semantically inappropriate words within a sentence.
Does the N400 reflect sentence or word-level processing
It reflects global context and semantic integration across a sentence or phrase
What does N400 activity show about word and world knowledge?
Both types of knowledge are integrated in understanding language, not processed separately.
In what cases does the N400 occur outside of full sentences?
It appears in word triplets where semantic context is anomalous, e.g., “river–bank–money
What does “early onset of the N400” mean?
It means the N400 response starts sooner after the onset of a spoken word
What does an early N400 onset suggest about spoken word processing?
The brain begins interpreting and rejecting words before the full word is heard.
What does early activation in n400 suggest about the timing of lexical access and contextual integration?
They occur in parallel, not as separate stages.
What is the amodal view of semantic memory?
Concepts are abstract and not tied to perceptual systems (e.g., word “power” is symbolic).
What is the symbol grounding problem?
Difficulty in defining symbols (for words) without using other symbols (circular definitions)
e.g. strength = power. power = strength
What is grounding in semantic memory?
Concepts are “grounded” in sensorimotor experiences or innate shared properties
what does the sensory–functional distinction suggest
That some categories are organized by what objects look like (sensory) vs. what they are used for (functional).
What is meant by a “lumpy” structure in semantic networks
networks? Some features strongly cluster together while others don’t connect well at al
How have models evolved beyond the sensory–functional divide?
They now include finer distinctions (e.g., action-based, shape-based, movement-based) and emphasize weighted features.
What is the alternative view to the sensory–functional model?
That some semantic categories are innate or hardwired in the brain
What categories have been proposed to be hardwired?
Animals, plants, tools, conspecifics (humans), and numbers.
What evidence supports innate categories?
Some patients show selective deficits for specific categories (e.g., only animals).
What does fMRI reveal in blind individuals’ VTC?
Category-selective activity (e.g., animals, tools) is present despite lack of visual experience.
What is a key criticism of amodal representations?
they fail to explain why semantic deficits can be modality-specific or category-specific.
