ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4703-0667
Current Organisation
Queensland University of Technology
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Publisher: Queensland University of Technology
Date: 2023
DOI: 10.5204/THESIS.EPRINTS.238045
Abstract: The present thesis investigates the cognitive architecture of spoken word production using a combination of behavioural and neurophysiological methods. Through a series of experiments, the author aims to shed light on longstanding debates surrounding the role of phonology and semantics in word production, and their interplay in different stages of the production process. The findings of this work contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying spoken language production, and have implications for theories of language and cognitive processing more broadly.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 05-12-2019
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 21-11-2022
DOI: 10.1177/17470218221137007
Abstract: Semantic context effects are well established using both words and pictures as stimuli. One such effect, semantic interference, is observed in naming latencies when a categorically related distractor word or picture is presented together with a target picture (e.g., dog-LION). Recently, this effect has also been shown to occur when an environmental sound (e.g., a dog
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEUROPSYCHOLOGIA.2022.108339
Abstract: Accumulating evidence indicates two cortical regions, the left ventral premotor cortex (PMv) and left intraparietal sulcus (IPS), are involved in spoken verb production. Some evidence also indicates these regions may be differentially engaged by transitive (i.e., object-oriented) versus intransitive actions. We explored the role of these regions during action picture naming in two experiments, each employing high frequency (10 Hz) online repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in 20 participants. In Experiment 1, participants named intransitive action pictures (e.g., LAUGH) accompanied by active and sham rTMS to the left PMv, left IPS, and right superior parietal lobule (SPL control site). Application of rTMS to PMv resulted in slower naming latencies compared to sham and control site stimulation, whereas stimulation of the IPS did not result in any significant effects. Experiment 2 employed active and sham rTMS identical to Experiment 1 with transitive action pictures (e.g., PUSH). Stimulation of both regions induced changes in naming latencies compared to sham and control site stimulation, with rTMS applied to PMv slowing responses and IPS stimulation facilitating them. Surprisingly, stimulation of the right SPL control site also slowed naming compared to sham across both Experiments. Overall, these findings indicate different roles for PMv and IPS during action picture naming. Specifically, the ergent effects of PMv and IPS stimulation in the transitive action naming task indicate different processes likely operate in the two regions during verb production. Involvement of the right SPL across both transitive and intransitive action naming might reflect visuospatial or general attention mechanisms rather than language processes per se.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 22-04-2021
DOI: 10.1177/17470218211010591
Abstract: The cognitive architecture that allows humans to retrieve words from the mental lexicon has been investigated for decades. While there is consensus regarding a two-step architecture involving lexical-conceptual and phonological word-form levels of processing, accounts of how activation spreads between them (e.g., in a serial, cascaded, or interactive fashion) remain contentious. In addition, production models differ with respect to whether selection occurs at lexical or postlexical levels. The purpose of this study was to examine whether mediated phonological–semantic relations (e.g., drip is phonologically related to drill that is semantically related to hammer) influence production in adults as predicted by models implementing cascaded processing and feedback between levels. Two experiments using the picture–word interference (PWI) paradigm were conducted using auditory (Exp. 1) and written (Exp. 2) distractors. We hypothesised that a mediated semantic interference effect would be observable in the former with the involvement of both spoken word production and recognition, and in the latter if lexical representations are shared between written and spoken words in English, as assumed by some production accounts. Furthermore, we hypothesised a mediated semantic interference effect would be inconsistent with a postlexical selection account as the distractors do not constitute a relevant response for the target picture (e.g., drip-HAMMER). We observed mediated semantic interference only from auditory distractors, while observing the standard semantic interference effect from both auditory and written distractors. The current findings represent the first chronometric evidence involving spoken word production and recognition in support of cascaded processing during lexical retrieval in adults and present a significant challenge for the postlexical selection account.
No related grants have been discovered for Matteo Mascelloni.