Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

We tested 14-month-olds and adults in an event-related potentials (ERPs) study in which pictures of familiar objects generated expectations about upcoming word forms. Expected word forms labelled the picture (word condition), while unexpected word forms mismatched by either a small deviation in word medial vowel height (mispronunciation condition) or a large deviation from the onset of the first speech segment (pseudoword condition). Both infants and adults showed sensitivity to both types of unexpected word form. Adults showed a chain of discrete effects: positivity over the N(1) wave, negativity over the P(2) wave (PMN effect) and negativity over the N(2) wave (N400 effect). Infants showed a similar pattern, including a robust effect similar to the adult P(2) effect. These observations were underpinned by a novel visualisation method which shows the dynamics of the ERP within bands of the scalp over time. The results demonstrate shared processing mechanisms across development, as even subtle deviations from expected word forms were indexed in both age groups by a reduction in the amplitude of characteristic waves in the early auditory evoked potential.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.dcn.2012.01.003

Type

Journal article

Journal

Dev Cogn Neurosci

Publication Date

04/2012

Volume

2

Pages

223 - 234

Keywords

Acoustic Stimulation, Adolescent, Anticipation, Psychological, Electroencephalography, Evoked Potentials, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Photic Stimulation, Reaction Time, Speech Perception, Word Association Tests, Young Adult