Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Eye Tracking During Visually Situated Language Comprehension: Flexibility and Limitations in Uncovering Visual Context Effects
Published on: November 30, 2018
[Speech comprehension and cognitive performance in acoustically difficult situations]
1FB Audiologie, Jean Uhrmacher Institut für klinische HNO-Forschung, Universität zu Köln, Geibelstr. 29-31, 50931, Köln, Deutschland. hartmut.meister@uni-koeln.de.
Abstract:
Understanding speech strongly depends on sensory processes (bottom-up); however, especially in acoustically difficult situations, cognitive processes (top-down), such as attention and working memory also play a role. In older people both hearing and certain cognitive abilities typically decrease. This has consequences for everyday communication. In clinical practice it is relevant to improve the audibility of speech through appropriate rehabilitative measures and at the same time to reduce the cognitive burden during understanding speech. In this context, future audiometric methods will have to consider "listening effort" as an expression of cognitive load in addition to the improvement of speech intelligibility.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Dissonance
Language and Cognition
Cognitive Therapy
Cognition and Behavior
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
This field emerged in the mid-20th century, following a period dominated by behaviorism, which...

