Differential asymmetries for recognizing nouns and verbs: where are they?

Neuropsychology. 2002 Jan;16(1):35-48. doi: 10.1037//0894-4105.16.1.35.

Abstract

To support categorical representation in the brain for grammatical class, it is necessary to show that noun-verb differences are attributable to parts of speech and not to covarying semantic factors. Prior visual-half field investigations of noun-verb processing have confounded grammatical class with imageability. The current study included numerous tests of differential noun-verb processing across visual fields for stimuli equated for imageability. Task (lexical decision, pronunciation) and list context (blocked vs. mixed lists) variables were examined in 168 right-handed participants. There was no reliable reduction of the right visual field advantage for moderately imageable nouns as compared with verbs. If there are qualitative hemisphere differences in single-word noun and verb recognition, these may be attributable to semantic dimensions that tend to covary with grammatical class.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Linguistics*
  • Male
  • Reaction Time
  • Vocabulary