Distinct patterns of brain activity characterise lexical activation and competition in spoken word production.

ABSTRACT: According to a prominent theory of language production, concepts activate multiple associated words in memory, which enter into competition for selection. However, only a few electrophysiological studies have identified brain responses reflecting competition. Here, we report a magnetoencephalography study in which the activation of competing words was manipulated by presenting pictures (e.g., dog) with distractor words. The distractor and picture name were semantically related (cat), unrelated (pin), or identical (dog). Related distractors are stronger competitors to the picture name because they receive additional activation from the picture relative to other distractors. Picture naming times were longer with related than unrelated and identical distractors. Phase-locked and non-phase-loc

SUBMITTER: Piai V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3928283 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature