Language and non-linguistic cognition: Shared mechanisms and principles reflected in the N400

Abstract

Language is a core cognitive faculty. Research on language processing is typically carried out independently of research within other cognitive domains. However, it has been proposed that language shares basic sensorimotor features with non-linguistic cognition at the representational level. The present paper investigates whether processing principles are also shared between linguistic and non-linguistic cognition; specifically, it is investigated whether the N400 is sensitive to global and local manipulations of violation probability as previously reported for markers of non-linguistic conflict detection. In Experiment 1, the global violation probability was manipulated. Here, N400 amplitude was reduced in high violation probability blocks compared to low violation probability blocks. In Experiment 2, N400 amplitude was analysed according to local trial sequence. Here, the N400 amplitude difference between correct and violated sentences was reduced when the preceding trial was a violation compared to a correct trial. The implication of these findings for the architecture of our cognitive system is discussed.