Abstract
When "ultrarapid" word-related motor activity is not faster than "early".
Highlights
How do we understand words? On one current hypothesis, meaning is assigned through the retrieval of the sensory and/or motor information that contributes to define the word’s referent, as we experience it in the environment
One line of thinking to address this hypothesis is the following: if motor activity occurs immediately (∼200 ms) after word onset, it must be a correlate of direct access to semanticallyrelevant representations, as opposed to post-comprehension processing including epiphenomenal imagery
Recasting the motor effect reported by Shtyrov et al in terms of a standard description that measures effect latencies from word onset, it would be in the range 346–386 ms—values more compatible with the classical view that motor activation is subsequent to semantic activation in non-motor areas of the brain
Summary
How do we understand words? On one current hypothesis, meaning is assigned through the retrieval of the sensory and/or motor information that contributes to define the word’s referent, as we experience it in the environment. One line of thinking to address this hypothesis is the following: if motor activity occurs immediately (∼200 ms) after word onset, it must be a correlate of direct access to semanticallyrelevant representations, as opposed to post-comprehension processing including epiphenomenal imagery. The relevance of these findings for the interpretation of word-related motor activity is in the timing of the effect: 85–125 ms from a word disambiguationpoint.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
