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Related Experiment Videos

How Normal Are "Normal" Errors of Language and Cognition?

Matthew L Cohen1,2,3, Samantha Weatherford1, Ratna Nandakumar4

  • 1Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, University of Delaware, Newark.

Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|April 16, 2019
PubMed
Summary

It is normal for everyone to experience language and cognitive errors, such as word-finding difficulties or forgetting intentions. This study quantifies these common experiences in the general population.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Psychometrics

Background:

  • Cognitive and language errors are common experiences.
  • Understanding their typical frequency and severity is crucial for distinguishing normal variations from potential clinical concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the frequency and severity of common language and cognitive errors in the general population.
  • To establish normative data for cognitive and language inefficiencies.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized item-response theory (IRT) on data from the Neuro-QOL Cognitive Function Item Bank v2.0.
  • Analyzed item parameters from a large, U.S. Census-matched normative sample.
  • Estimated typical responses across 25 levels of cognitive ability (theta).

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Main Results:

  • A T score between 40 and 60 indicates a typical experience of "a little" difficulty or experiencing errors/inefficiencies weekly.
  • Word-finding difficulties and forgetting intentions upon entering a room are particularly common.
  • The study provides a detailed description of typical cognitive and language error experiences.

Conclusions:

  • Experiencing language and cognitive errors and inefficiencies is typical for the average person.
  • This analysis provides a benchmark for normal experiences within a representative sample.
  • Further research is needed to define typical experiences for specific subgroups, such as different age groups.