SpEx: a German-language dataset of speech and executive function performance

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Executive functions (EF) are crucial for cognitive control and language.
• Understanding the relationship between speech production and EF is vital for cognitive science.
• Existing datasets often lack comprehensive speech and EF measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and describe the SpEx dataset, a novel resource for studying speech and executive functions in German native speakers.
• To facilitate research on inter-individual differences in language and cognitive abilities.
• To provide a foundation for exploring the interplay between speech, executive functions, and demographic/hormonal factors.

Main Methods:

• Collected speech data from 148 German native speakers (ages 20-55) through formal and spontaneous speaking tasks.
• Administered standardized computer-based tests assessing working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, and attention.
• Gathered demographic data and hormone levels (cortisol, progesterone, oestradiol, testosterone).

Main Results:

• The SpEx dataset integrates speech performance with detailed executive functioning measures.
• It includes rich demographic and hormonal data, offering a multi-faceted view of participants.
• The dataset enables diverse analyses of speech, EF, and their interrelations.

Conclusions:

• The SpEx dataset is a unique, comprehensive resource for German language research on speech and executive functions.
• It supports exploratory and hypothesis-driven research into individual differences.
• Access to this dataset is available for researchers interested in language, cognition, and their underlying mechanisms.