Dissimilarity between discourse characters influences the processing of contrastive focus: An ERP study

IF 1.2 3区心理学 Q2 LINGUISTICS

Journal of Neurolinguistics Pub Date : 2024-11-28 DOI:10.1016/j.jneuroling.2024.101234

Yi Lin , Kevin B. Paterson , Lijing Chen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The present study used event-related potentials to investigate effects of the similarity or dissimilarity of discourse referents on the processing of contrastive focus during Chinese reading. Participants first read a background story. They then were presented with a series of two-clause sentences using a RSVP paradigm. The first clause of each sentence included the names of two characters from the background story, who were either similar or dissimilar in terms of social category (which was specified in terms of age and gender). The second clause referred to one of these characters by name, using the Chinese focus particle “shi” to focus on this name or not. The results show that focused names elicit a larger P300 than non-focused names. Furthermore, discourse-final words elicited a larger P300 when the focused character was dissimilar rather than similar to the other character, with no effect in the non-focus condition. These findings replicate prior findings showing that the P300 is sensitive to the processing of contrastive focus during reading. The findings also show that the processing of contrastive focus is sensitive to similarity/dissimilarity between discourse referents, and that how this information is used may depend on the pragmatic implicatures associated with contrastive focus.

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来源期刊

Journal of Neurolinguistics 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

5.00%

发文量

审稿时长

17.2 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Neurolinguistics is an international forum for the integration of the neurosciences and language sciences. JNL provides for rapid publication of novel, peer-reviewed research into the interaction between language, communication and brain processes. The focus is on rigorous studies of an empirical or theoretical nature and which make an original contribution to our knowledge about the involvement of the nervous system in communication and its breakdowns. Contributions from neurology, communication disorders, linguistics, neuropsychology and cognitive science in general are welcome. Published articles will typically address issues relating some aspect of language or speech function to its neurological substrates with clear theoretical import. Interdisciplinary work on any aspect of the biological foundations of language and its disorders resulting from brain damage is encouraged. Studies of normal subjects, with clear reference to brain functions, are appropriate. Group-studies on well defined samples and case studies with well documented lesion or nervous system dysfunction are acceptable. The journal is open to empirical reports and review articles. Special issues on aspects of the relation between language and the structure and function of the nervous system are also welcome.