cognition & language

Brain Size

Does not correlate with intelligence or cognitive abilities.

Brain vs Body Ratio

Intelligence isn't simply related to the ratio of brain size to body size.

Human Brain Ratio

Humans have a brain to body ratio of 1:60.

Mice Brain Ratio

Mice have a brain to body ratio of 1:40.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the brain critical for intelligence.

Brain Folds

More folds create greater surface area, allowing for complex cognition.

Neurons and Synaptic Connections

Increased surface area leads to more neurons and synapses.

Heritability of Intelligence

Intelligence has a genetic component, evidenced by IQ correlations in twins.

Environmental Effects on Intelligence

Environment influences the development of intelligence, regardless of genetic potential.

Stimulation and Intelligence

Supportive environments can improve intelligence scores.

Neglect and Intelligence

Deprivation can limit intelligence potential but does not eliminate it.

Ambiguity in Language

Language can have multiple meanings and interpretations.

Grammar Teaching

Grammar rules are often taught explicitly and learned intuitively.

Broca's Aphasia

Characterized by production problems; patients have full functions of their mouths and comprehension usually remains intact.

Broca’s Aphasia Symptoms

Disturbed speech production, patient is aware of the deficit, non-fluent speech, difficulty reading.

Broca's Area

Involved in the motor aspect of producing speech; how to say and think of a word in the left hemisphere.

Wernicke's Aphasia

Characterized by comprehension problems; auditory cortex is NOT damaged, but patients are unaware of their speech deficits.

Wernicke’s Aphasia Symptoms

Disturbed speech comprehension, jargon-filled speech, receive no feedback when speaking, possible agraphia.

Wernicke’s Area

Involved in the auditory processing of words, how to hear a word, and unable to process the phonological aspects of words in the left hemisphere.

Fluent but Jargon-Filled Speech

Common in patients with Wernicke's Aphasia.

Agraphia

The inability to write, often associated with Wernicke's Aphasia.

Conduction Aphasia

Disconnect between auditory and motor processing, affecting repetition.

Conduction Aphasia Symptoms

Can understand speech and speak fluently, but cannot repeat phrases accurately. No real feedback on speech and unable to make quick connections between auditory and motor.

Global Aphasia

Complete loss of ability to understand or produce language, affecting spoken and written language.

Global Aphasia Symptoms

Attempts to speak may produce gibberish or only single words. Patient may stare blankly when asked to perform a task.

Recovery from Aphasia

Patients may recover to less severe forms of aphasia, especially those with Global Aphasia.

Traditional View of Aphasia

Only with huge lesions can one a kind of Aphasia.

Language Lateralization

Language is left-lateralized.

Right Hemisphere

More spatially oriented.

Handedness and Language

95% of right-handers have language centers in the left hemisphere while 78% of left-handers also have it in the left.

Wada Studies

Patients are still able to understand directions without the use of their left hemisphere, but are unable to produce speech.

Language Decoding

NOT left-lateralized.

Sign Language Grammar

Has its own grammar and is organized spatially.

Aphasia in Sign Language

Aphasia can occur in sign language, typically showing lesions in Broca’s or Wernicke’s.

Dyslexia

Reading difficulties potentially related to visual pathways and inferior frontal structures.

Dysgraphia

Writing difficulties potentially related to visual pathways and inferior frontal structures.

Speech Output Problems

Common in Broca's Aphasia; patients may struggle to articulate.

Language Processing

Involves both auditory and motor functions in the brain.

Phonological Processing

The ability to process sounds and words, affected in Wernicke's Aphasia.

Speech Errors

Occur in Wernicke’s and Conduction Aphasia due to lack of feedback.

Inferior Frontal Structures

Brain areas involved in dyselxia and dysgraphia.