The functional analysis of the N400 component: lexical access, integration or can we have it both ways?

Authors

  • Marije Soto Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)/Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4232-265X
  • Aniela Improta França Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31513/linguistica.2020.v16nEsp.a22521

Keywords:

N400, priming, sentence processing, ERP.

Abstract

In this study, we provide a functional analysis of the N400 component. This is a much replicated neurophysiological response which occurs 400ms after the onset of stimuli. This response is said to reflect the degree to which preceding context (sentences or priming words) predicts an upcoming word, and thus affects its processing. Competing hypotheses claim that cognitive operations underlying N400 effects are either lexical access or integration of the word in the preceding context. Lau et al. (2006) compared N400 effects in priming pairs and sentential contexts, and found quantitative differences, but no qualitative differences. This led them to conclude that lexical access is the underlying operation reflected in N400 effects in both cases. We challenge that conclusion by showing that structure mediates relations between words, even when not in a sentential content.

Author Biographies

Marije Soto, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)/Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Professora do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Linguística; Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). Professora do Departamento de Linguística.

Aniela Improta França, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ/CNPq/FAPERJ). Professora do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Linguística e do Departamento de Linguística e Filologia.

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Published

2020-11-07

Issue

Vol. 16 (2020): Special Issue - Celebrating over 50 years of the Graduate Linguistics Program at UFRJ and of the Professor Emeritus Miriam Lemle’s career

Section

Articles

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