TY - JOUR
T1 - Associative vocabulary learning
T2 - development and testing of two paradigms for the (re-) acquisition of action- and object-related words
AU - Freundlieb, Nils
AU - Ridder, Volker
AU - Dobel, Christian
AU - Enriquez-Geppert, Stefanie
AU - Baumgaertner, Annette
AU - Zwitserlood, Pienie
AU - Gerloff, Christian
AU - Hummel, Friedhelm C.
AU - Liuzzi, Gianpiero
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - Despite a growing number of studies, the neurophysiology of adult vocabulary acquisition is still poorly understood. One reason is that paradigms that can easily be combined with neuroscientfic methods are rare. Here, we tested the efficiency of two paradigms for vocabulary (re-) acquisition, and compared the learning of novel words for actions and objects. Cortical networks involved in adult native-language word processing are widespread, with differences postulated between words for objects and actions. Words and what they stand for are supposed to be grounded in perceptual and sensorimotor brain circuits depending on their meaning. If there are specific brain representations for different word categories, we hypothesized behavioural differences in the learning of action-related and object-related words. Paradigm A, with the learning of novel words for body-related actions spread out over a number of days, revealed fast learning of these new action words, and stable retention up to 4 weeks after training. The single-session Paradigm B employed objects and actions. Performance during acquisition did not differ between action-related and object-related words (time*word category: p = 0.01), but the translation rate was clearly better for object-related (79%) than for action-related words (53%, p = 0.002). Both paradigms yielded robust associative learning of novel action-related words, as previously demonstrated for object-related words. Translation success differed for action- and object-related words, which may indicate different neural mechanisms. The paradigms tested here are well suited to investigate such differences with neuroscientific means. Given the stable retention and minimal requirements for conscious effort, these learning paradigms are promising for vocabulary re-learning in brain-lesioned people. In combination with neuroimaging, neuro-stimulation or pharmacological intervention, they may well advance the understanding of language learning to optimize therapeutic strategies.
AB - Despite a growing number of studies, the neurophysiology of adult vocabulary acquisition is still poorly understood. One reason is that paradigms that can easily be combined with neuroscientfic methods are rare. Here, we tested the efficiency of two paradigms for vocabulary (re-) acquisition, and compared the learning of novel words for actions and objects. Cortical networks involved in adult native-language word processing are widespread, with differences postulated between words for objects and actions. Words and what they stand for are supposed to be grounded in perceptual and sensorimotor brain circuits depending on their meaning. If there are specific brain representations for different word categories, we hypothesized behavioural differences in the learning of action-related and object-related words. Paradigm A, with the learning of novel words for body-related actions spread out over a number of days, revealed fast learning of these new action words, and stable retention up to 4 weeks after training. The single-session Paradigm B employed objects and actions. Performance during acquisition did not differ between action-related and object-related words (time*word category: p = 0.01), but the translation rate was clearly better for object-related (79%) than for action-related words (53%, p = 0.002). Both paradigms yielded robust associative learning of novel action-related words, as previously demonstrated for object-related words. Translation success differed for action- and object-related words, which may indicate different neural mechanisms. The paradigms tested here are well suited to investigate such differences with neuroscientific means. Given the stable retention and minimal requirements for conscious effort, these learning paradigms are promising for vocabulary re-learning in brain-lesioned people. In combination with neuroimaging, neuro-stimulation or pharmacological intervention, they may well advance the understanding of language learning to optimize therapeutic strategies.
KW - Adult
KW - Analysis of Variance
KW - Association Learning
KW - Brain
KW - Female
KW - Germany
KW - Humans
KW - Language Development
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Models, Psychological
KW - Photic Stimulation
KW - Reaction Time
KW - Retention (Psychology)
KW - Statistics, Nonparametric
KW - Verbal Learning
KW - Vocabulary
KW - Journal Article
KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
KW - CONSTRAINT-INDUCED APHASIA
KW - MOTOR CORTEX
KW - BROCAS AREA
KW - LANGUAGE
KW - THERAPY
KW - STROKE
KW - VERB
KW - STIMULATION
KW - RECOVERY
KW - ERRORLESS
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0037033
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0037033
M3 - Article
C2 - 22701562
VL - 7
JO - PLOS-One
JF - PLOS-One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 6
M1 - e37033
ER -