Neural Underpinnings of Phonotactic Rule Learning

Bibliographic Data

ID19572834
AuthorsEnes Avcu (0000-0001-5372-1774, University of Delaware), Ryan Rhodes (0000-0002-3397-2012, University of Delaware), Arild Hestvik (0000-0003-4561-7584, University of Delaware)
Year2019
Volume7
Publication date2019-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueProceedings of the Annual Meetings on Phonology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2377-3324 • E-ISSN: 2377-3324
PublisherLinguistic Society of America (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.3765/amp.v7i0.4487
OpenAlexW2948148909
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited10

This study used behavioral measures and ERP difference waves to measure the underlying brain processes during the categorization of grammatical vs ungrammatical stimuli according to a lab learned phonotactic rule. The results show that participants learned the simple rule at the behavioral level (as measured with d-prime, a sensitivity measure to rule violations). This rule learning is also reflected in the brain response to violations of the rule, which is indexed by the P3 rare-minus-frequent difference waveform. The neural results indicate that this learning took the form of a neural commitment. Participants learned the rule and used it to make active predictions, categorizing words as ungrammatical at the exact point of violation. This ability must be instantiated at the neural level, meaning rapid neural tuning has occurred in this lab setting

Categorization · Cognition · Linguistics · Natural language processing · Neural correlates of consciousness · Phonology · Phonotactics · Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills · Computer Science · Neuroscience · Neuroscience and Music Perception · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development · Artificial Intelligence

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