Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
07:18
Examining Gesture Production in the Presence of Communication Challenges
Published on: January 26, 2024
Deictic word and gesture production: Their interaction.
Sergio Chieffi1, Claudio Secchi, Maurizio Gentilucci
1Department of Neuroscience, Section of Physiology, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43100 Parma, Italy. sergio.chieffi@unina2.it
Behavioural Brain Research
|May 13, 2009
Summary
Deictic gestures and words interact, influencing each other's production. Congruence between speech and gesture speeds up movement and alters voice spectra, suggesting bidirectional communication.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Linguistics
- Psychology
Background:
- Deictic gestures and words are fundamental communicative tools.
- The interplay between speech and gesture production is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mutual influence between deictic gestures and words.
- To determine how congruence or incongruence affects gesture kinematics and voice spectra.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted involving participants reading deictic words ('here', 'there') and performing corresponding or conflicting gestures.
- Gesture kinematics (movement speed) and voice spectra (formant frequencies) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Gesture movement was faster in congruent conditions and slower in incongruent conditions compared to a control.
- Formant 2 (F2) in voice spectra decreased in incongruent conditions.
- Congruence/incongruence significantly affected both gesture kinematics and voice spectra.
Conclusions:
- Speech and gesture production systems exhibit a bidirectional interaction.
- The findings highlight the integrated nature of multimodal communication.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
01:14Directional Terms
Directional terms are essential for describing the relative locations of different body structures. For instance, an anatomist might describe one band of tissue as "inferior to" another, or a physician might describe a tumor as "superficial to" a deeper body structure. These terms often use comparative terms in pairs to trace out the relative locations of one body part to another or descriptions of body tissues like the deeper ones from superficially present with reference to the body's upright...
01:24Components of Language
Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs. “eh”). Phonemes combine to...
01:28Channels of Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication plays a critical role in human interaction, influencing how individuals perceive emotions and psychological states. It operates through four primary channels: facial expressions, eye contact, body language, and touch. These non-verbal cues help convey meaning beyond spoken language and are often culturally influenced.Facial Expressions and Emotional RecognitionFacial expressions are among the most powerful and universal forms of non-verbal communication. Research has...
01:29Non-Verbal Cues
Non-verbal communication extends beyond gestures and facial expressions to include vocal elements known as paralanguage. Paralanguage consists of non-verbal vocal cues such as pitch, loudness, speech rate, pauses, and non-verbal vocalizations like laughter, sighs, and moans. These elements not only accompany speech but also provide critical emotional and contextual information.The Role of Paralanguage in CommunicationParalanguage adds depth to spoken language by conveying emotions and...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.