Grip force reveals the context sensitivity of language-induced motor activity during "action words" processing: evidence from sentential negation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies demonstrating the involvement of motor brain structures in language processing typically focus on time windows beyond the latencies of lexical-semantic access. Consequently, such studies remain inconclusive regarding whether motor brain structures are recruited directly in language processing or through post-linguistic conceptual imagery. In the present study, we introduce a grip-force sensor that allows online measurements of language-induced motor activity during sentence listening. We use this tool to investigate whether language-induced motor activity remains constant or is modulated in negative, as opposed to affirmative, linguistic contexts.

Methodology/principal findings

Participants listened to spoken action target words in either affirmative or ne

SUBMITTER: Aravena P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3515598 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature