Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
05:36
Central and Divided Visual Field Presentation of Emotional Images to Measure Hemispheric Differences in Motivated Attention
Published on: November 16, 2017
Brain responses mediating idiom comprehension: gender and hemispheric differences
Rajesh K Kana1, Donna L Murdaugh, Kelly R Wolfe
1Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, CIRC 235G, 1719 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0021, USA. rkana@uab.edu
Brain Research
|May 29, 2012
Summary
Understanding idioms involves linking words to non-literal meanings. This study found gender differences in how the brain processes figurative language, with women showing greater activation and men greater connectivity between specific language areas.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Psycholinguistics
Background:
- Figurative language processing, like idioms, requires context-appropriate non-literal meaning association.
- Previous research links idiomatic phrase processing to specific brain regions: bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC), left temporal cortex, superior medial prefrontal gyrus (MPFC), and left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neural responses during the comprehension of idiomatic versus literal sentences using functional MRI (fMRI).
- To explore potential gender differences in neural activation and connectivity during language comprehension tasks.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six healthy adult volunteers participated in the fMRI study.
- Participants viewed and comprehended both literal and idiomatic sentences, followed by comprehension questions.
- Brain activity and functional connectivity were analyzed during sentence processing.
Main Results:
- Sentence comprehension primarily activated prefrontal language areas, including the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG), left superior frontal gyrus (LSFG), and right middle frontal gyrus (RMFG).
- Idiomatic sentences, as expected, showed increased activation in the LIFG.
- Women exhibited greater overall brain activation than men for both literal and idiomatic sentences.
- Men demonstrated significantly greater functional connectivity between the LIFG and left middle temporal gyrus (LMTG) compared to women.
Conclusions:
- The study identified distinct neural patterns for processing literal and idiomatic sentences, particularly within prefrontal language areas.
- Significant gender-based differences were observed in both brain activation levels and functional connectivity during figurative language comprehension.
- These findings contribute to understanding the neural underpinnings of language processing and highlight sex differences in cognitive functions.
More Related Videos
07:36Eye Tracking During Visually Situated Language Comprehension: Flexibility and Limitations in Uncovering Visual Context Effects
Published on: November 30, 2018
07:03Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
Published on: July 31, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:05Cerebral Hemispheres
The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
01:28Lateralization
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
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...
01:27Language 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.
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
02:34Empathy
Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor.