Cog Neuro - Txb C11.5 + 11.7 Neural Models of Language Comprehension + Evolution of Language

what are the 3 functional components of language processing that Peter Hagoort proposed and what do they all mean?

1. memory: linguistic knowledge that is encoded and consolidated. knowledge about building blocks of language

2. unification: integration of lexically retrieved into representation of the whole message (phonological, semantic, and syntactic information)

3. control: language of social interactions ex. taking turns in conversation

what is the relationship between cortical thickness and language? (for bilingual speakers from childhood)

when you are born knowing two languages, the more proficient language (ex. english) is in the renormalization phase (cortical thinning) while the less proficient one (ex. spanish) is in the expansion phase (cortical thickening)

what is the relationship between cortical thickness and language? (for heritage spanish speakers)

the first language (spanish) is in the expansion language and the second language is in the renormalized language

what ventral pathways connect the posterior temporal lobes with the anterior temporal lobes and the frontal lobe? (think back to amygala)

uncinate fasciculus (amygdala to vmPFC) and fibers of the extreme capsule

what dorsal pathways connect the posterior temporal lobes to the frontal lobes? (think language)

the arcuate fasciculus (wernikes to brocas) and portions of the superior longitudinal fasciculus

what does the dorsal pathway do for language?

it connects the premotor cortex and is involved in speech preparation

the other dorsal pathway connects Broca’s area with the superior temporal gyrus and sulcus

agrammatic aphasia

produce two-or three word sentences that consist of mostly content words and not function words such as and, then, the, a, ect.

symptom of brocas aphasia

t/f: the ventral pathways are involved in processing and speech preparation

false, the dorsal pathway is involved in processing and speech preparation

what is the ventral pathway involved in?

understanding words

where were mirror neurons discovered and what is it involved in?

found in F5 area

dorsal portion is involved in hand movements

ventral portion with movement of the mouth and larynx

which side of the mouth opens first and wider when speaking in humans?

the right side

which side of the mouth gears up first with emotional expression?

the left side

what side of the brain do chimps use to produce attention-getting-sounds like kisses?

the left hemisphere

what side of the brain likely controls hand gestures and vocalizations in chimps?

the left

what is different about the arcuate fasciculi between humans, chimps, and macaques?

humans have a thick white matter tract connecting the temporal lobe, inferior parietal lobe, and inferior frontal lobe

chimps and macaques’ are greatly reduced with much less projections to the temporal lobe supporting the idea that the temporal area is involved heavily in complex language

how do some researchers suggest that human speech and language evolved

from hand gestures and facial movements