Implementation of selective attention in sequential word production

Nazbanou Nozari, Gary S. Dell, Kyle Schneck, Barry Gordon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We studied changes to the pattern of speech errors as a function of selectively attending to one word in a sequence to learn how attention is implemented in language production. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) attention specifically inhibits the past, (2) attention enhances the activation of the present without affecting the past or the future, and (3) attention decreases priming of the future. In Experiment 1, using a model of sequential word production, we simulated the pattern of anticipatory and perseveratory errors on the attended words, and compared them to empirical error data. Our findings support a model in which attention only affects the present. Experiment 2 tested the prediction of this model regarding the error patterns on the word following the attended word. These results were also compatible with a transient enhancement in the activation of present that does not affect the production of the future words.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, CogSci 2015
EditorsDavid C. Noelle, Rick Dale, Anne Warlaumont, Jeff Yoshimi, Teenie Matlock, Carolyn D. Jennings, Paul P. Maglio
PublisherThe Cognitive Science Society
Pages1745-1750
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9780991196722
StatePublished - 2015
Event37th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society: Mind, Technology, and Society, CogSci 2015 - Pasadena, United States
Duration: Jul 23 2015Jul 25 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, CogSci 2015

Conference

Conference37th Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society: Mind, Technology, and Society, CogSci 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPasadena
Period7/23/157/25/15

Keywords

  • Anticipation
  • Cognitive control
  • Executive function
  • Language production
  • Perseveration
  • Selective attention
  • Speech error
  • Structural frame

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Implementation of selective attention in sequential word production'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this