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The Meeting Point: Where Language Production and Working Memory Share Resources
Byurakn Ishkhanyan1,2,3, Kasper Boye4, Jesper Mogensen5
1Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics, University of Copenhagen, Njalsgade 120, 2300, Copenhagen, Denmark. byurakn@cc.au.dk.
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research
|June 9, 2018
Summary
Working memory (WM) plays a role in language production, specifically at the phonological encoding stage. Adding WM load surprisingly speeds up language production, suggesting a task-specific storage mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psycholinguistics
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- The link between working memory (WM) and language comprehension is well-researched.
- The role of WM in language production remains underexplored, despite theoretical links.
- Existing models suggest potential overlap between WM and language production processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of WM in language production.
- To examine the effect of WM load on language production efficiency.
- To test predictions derived from neurocognitive and usage-based theories.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a complex span task during a language production experiment.
- Applied theoretical frameworks including the reorganization of elementary functions neurocognitive model.
- Collected behavioral data on language production performance under varying WM loads.
Main Results:
- Confirmed the involvement of WM in the phonological encoding level of language production.
- Observed that increased WM load unexpectedly facilitated language production.
- Identified evidence for the creation of task-specific storage during the task.
Conclusions:
- Working memory is integral to phonological encoding in language production.
- Cognitive load in WM can enhance, rather than impede, language production.
- Task-specific storage mechanisms are likely employed during demanding language production tasks.
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