Biology subjects

Kuhlen, A. K.

Publications and source records attributed to Kuhlen, A. K..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Joint language production: an electrophysiological investigation of simulated lexical access on behalf of task partner

This study investigates in a joint action setting a well-established effect in speech production, cumulative semantic interference, an increase in naming latencies when naming a series of semantically related pictures. In a joint action setting, two task partners take turns naming pictures. Previous work in this setting demonstrated that naming latencies increase not only with each semantically related picture speakers named themselves, but also with each picture named by the partner (Hoedemaker, Ernst, Meyer, & Belke, 2017; Kuhlen & Abdel Rahman, 2017). This suggests that speakers pursue lexical access on behalf of their partner. In two electrophysiological experiments (N=30 each) we investigated the neuro-cognitive signatures of such simulated lexical access. As expected, in both experiments speakers naming latency increased with successive naming instances within a given semantic category. Correspondingly, speakers EEG showed an increasing posterior positivity between 250-400ms, an ERP modulation typically associated with lexical access. However, unlike previous experiments, speakers were not influenced by their partners picture naming. Accordingly, we found no electrophysiological evidence of lexical access. To reconcile these findings we pooled behavioral data from five experiments (N=144). Within this large sample we find empirical evidence for partner-elicited interference. Furthermore, our data suggests that speakers may be less affected by their partners naming response in settings with remotely located task partners (as in present experiments). We conclude that speakers do not always represent their partners naming response and that our experimental setting may have limited the participants evaluation of the task as a joint action.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Mental Chronometry of Speaking in Dialogue: Semantic Interference Turns into Facilitation

Numerous studies demonstrate that the production of words is delayed when speakers process in temporal proximity semantically related words. Yet the experimental settings underlying this effect are different from those under which we typically speak. This study demonstrates that semantic interference disappears, and can even turn into facilitation, when semantically related words are embedded in a meaningful communicative exchange. Experiment 1 and 3 (each N=32 university students) implemented a picture- word interference task in a game played between two participants: one named the distractor word and, after a stimulus-onset-asynchrony of -150ms or -650ms, the other named a semantically related or unrelated target picture. Semantic interference reappeared with identical experimental parameters in a single-person picture-word interference setting (Experiment 2, N=32). We conclude that the inhibitory context effects leading to semantic interference in single-subject settings are attenuated whereas facilitatory effects are enhanced in communicative settings. HighlightsO_LIIn isolated speakers processing semantically related words interferes with speaking C_LIO_LIYet we typically speak to communicate with others C_LIO_LIThis study transfers picture-word interference to a communicative setting C_LIO_LISemantically related words produced by a partner do not interfere with speaking C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Say what I mean - Expectancy effects in the EEG during joint and spontaneous word-by-word sentence production

Our aim in the present study is to measure neural correlates during spontaneous interactive sentence production. We present a novel approach using the word-by-word technique from improvisational theatre, in which two speakers jointly produce one sentence. This paradigm allows the assessment of behavioural aspects, such as turn-times, and electrophysiological responses, such as event-related-potentials (ERPs). Twenty-five participants constructed a cued but spontaneous four-word German sentence together with a confederate, taking turns for each word of the sentence. In 30% of the trials, an unexpected gender-marked article was uttered by the confederate. To complete the sentence in a meaningful way, the participant had to detect the violation, (possibly) inhibit a prepared response, and retrieve and utter a new fitting response. We found significant increases in response times after unexpected words and - despite allowing unscripted language production and naturally varying speech material - successfully detected significant N400 and P600 ERP effects for the unexpected word. The N400 EEG activity further significantly predicted the response time of the subsequent turn. Our results show that combining behavioural and neuroscientific measures of verbal interactions while retaining sufficient experimental control is possible, and that this combination provides promising insights into the mechanisms of spontaneous spoken dialogue.

neuroscience↗