Psych of Language Exam 2

What is the function of Broca's area?

Language production

What is the function of Wernicke's area?

Language comprehension

What is the function of the Arcuate Fasciculus?

Connects Broca's and Wernicke's areas

What is the function of the Superior temporal gyrus?

Speech perception

What is the function of the Middle temporal gyrus?

Lexical processing and some syntax processing

What is the function of the Inferior temporal gyrus?

Object recognition

What is the function of the Temporal Pole?

Integrative functions and comprehension

What is the function of the Inferior frontal gyrus?

Inner speech processing

What is the function of the Medial frontal area?

Speech processing related to pragmatics and social cognition

What is the function of the Intraparietal sulcus?

Metaphor processing, reaching, and grasping

Which areas are part of the Wernicke-Geschwind model?

Broca's area, Wernicke's area, and the Arcuate Fasciculus

Which neuroimaging method has the best spatial resolution?

Single cell recording

How is conversation defined in psycholinguistics?

A joint activity requiring two people where meaning emerges from the interaction

What is common ground in a conversation?

Knowledge shared between individuals where both parties know it is shared

What does Communication Accommodation Theory suggest about aligning behavior?

Aligning behavior shows affiliation and decreases social distance between speakers

What is the easiest layer of language to align during a conversation?

Phonology (speech patterns and vocal pitch)

How many of Grice's Maxims are there?

Four (Quality, Relevance, Manner, and Quantity)

What happens when a Gricean maxim is broken?

We form an implicature to interpret the speaker's intended meaning

What is the average length of an utterance?

About 2 seconds

Why do we use indirect speech?

To maintain plausible deniability

Is an insult a threat to negative face?

No, it is a threat to positive face

Is asking for a ride to the airport a threat to negative face?

Yes, because it restricts future behavior and abilities

What is the primary goal of lesion studies in neuroscience?

To examine cases where brain injury is associated with a specific loss of function.

How does single-cell recording function as a research methodology?

It uses electrodes to stimulate or measure activity from individual neurons.

Compare the temporal and spatial resolution of EEG and fMRI.

EEG has good temporal resolution but lower spatial resolution; fMRI has good spatial resolution but lower temporal resolution.

What is the purpose of event-related designs in neuroimaging?

To link neural responses to specific events, such as processing an odd word in a sentence.

What are the three main components of the Wernicke-Geschwind model?

Broca's area (production), Wernicke's area (comprehension), and the arcuate fasciculus (the pathway connecting them).

What is the function of the Superior Temporal Gyrus in the core language network?

It is involved in speech processing and is bilaterally organized.

What function does the Supplemental Motor Area (SMA) serve in language?

Speech preparation and execution.

What are 'cell assemblies' in the context of language?

Diffuse networks across the cortex that bind together different experiences and knowledge linked to specific words.

Which brain region is linked to the processing of metaphors?

The parietal lobe, specifically the area around the Intra-Parietal Sulcus.

What language-related functions are supported by the cerebellum?

Speech articulation, syntax, and comprehension.

What is the function of the Inferior Temporal Gyrus?

It is part of the 'what' pathway and is involved in object recognition.

Why is conversation described as a 'joint activity'?

It is an activity performed with others where the interaction shape emerges in real-time through mutual influence.

What are the two layers of conversation described in the text?

The physical layer (the act of interacting in the same space/time) and the negotiating layer (proposing and accepting interactions).

Why is common ground essential for conversation?

It provides a foundation for discussion and allows speakers to tailor their communication, such as using private nicknames.

What is the typical duration of silence between speaking turns?

Less than 1 second, with a mean of approximately 0.2 seconds.

What is the significance of the 3-second window in conversation?

It is proposed to be the duration of our 'eternal present' or 'now,' encompassing a speaking turn and the subsequent silence.

What are the two primary methods used to achieve short transition times in conversation?

Predicting what a partner will say to plan responses early, and using syntactic/prosodic cues to predict the end of a partner's speech.

How are inter-turn silences typically interpreted in conversation?

Silences that are too short or too long can signal that something is wrong, with specific interpretations depending on cultural and contextual factors.

What negative impressions might be formed by responses that are too fast or too slow?

Responses that are too fast may appear aggressive; responses that are too slow may suggest deception, unwillingness, or negative evaluation.

What is the core premise of Communication Accommodation Theory?

We align our behavior with conversation partners to show affiliation and achieve social closeness.

What does diverging from a partner's speech patterns signal in Communication Accommodation Theory?

It signals a desire to increase social distance from the partner.

List the four Gricean Maxims of conversation.

Quality (truth), Quantity (right amount of information), Relevance (stay on topic), and Manner (be a good partner).

How do Grice's Maxims function for comprehenders?

They help comprehenders infer the intentions of the speaker by assuming the speaker is following the rules.

What is the difference between direct and indirect meaning in an utterance?

Direct meaning is the literal interpretation, while indirect meaning is the implied intent behind the statement.

Why do speakers intentionally break Grice's maxims?

To signal that the listener should pay attention to an indirect meaning or implicature.

What are three primary reasons for using indirect speech?

To maintain plausible deniability, to respect social boundaries and relationships, and to manage what information is public versus private.

Define 'social face' in the context of Politeness Theory.

The self that we project to other people.

What is a 'face-threatening act'?

An act that threatens the social face of either the speaker or the listener.

What is the difference between positive face and negative face?

Positive face is the desire to be liked and have positive relations; negative face is the desire to act freely without encumbrance.

Give an example of an act that threatens the listener's positive face.

Insults, ridicule, or showing disrespect.

Give an example of an act that threatens the speaker's positive face.

Confessions, apologies, or self-deprecation.

Give an example of an act that threatens the listener's negative face.

Requesting something, giving an order, or making an offer.

Give an example of an act that threatens the speaker's negative face.

Accepting offers or expressing thanks.

What is a 'bald, on-record' approach to a face-threatening act?

Performing the act in a direct, unmitigated way, such as saying 'Go get me some water.'

What is the goal of Positive Politeness?

To make the speaker feel good about themselves and avoid conflict.

What is the goal of Negative Politeness?

To minimize the imposition on the conversation partner.

Provide an example of a Negative Politeness strategy.

Using indirect requests or hedging, such as 'Could I ask you to get me a drink?' or 'I'm sorry to bother you, but…'

What is an 'off-record' approach to communication?

Using indirect speech to avoid a face-threatening act as much as possible, often by violating a maxim like relevance.

Why might someone ask 'Are you going out?' to a friend who is leaving?

It is an off-record, indirect way to remind the friend of a commitment (like returning for dinner) without making a direct, face-threatening demand.