ERP correlates of unexpected word forms in a picture-word study of infants and adults.

ABSTRACT: We tested 14-month-olds and adults in an event-related potentials (ERPs) study in which pictures of familiar objects generated expectations about upcoming word forms. Expected word forms labelled the picture (word condition), while unexpected word forms mismatched by either a small deviation in word medial vowel height (mispronunciation condition) or a large deviation from the onset of the first speech segment (pseudoword condition). Both infants and adults showed sensitivity to both types of unexpected word form. Adults showed a chain of discrete effects: positivity over the N(1) wave, negativity over the P(2) wave (PMN effect) and negativity over the N(2) wave (N400 effect). Infants showed a similar pattern, including a robust effect similar to the adult P(2) effect. These observations w

SUBMITTER: Duta MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3336206 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature