Efficient language processing: the role of memory and visuo-spatial context

A hallmark of adult language processing is the efficiency with which it unfolds despite the massive amount of ambiguity present in the linguistic signal. Prior work has shown that visuo-spatial (e.g., Heller et al., 2008; Ryskin et al., 2014) and pragmatic (Sedivy et al., 1999) contextual information can be rapidly integrated during the comprehension process. In this dissertation, I explored the use of this information during on-line language processing and how it is supported by learning and memory mechanisms. In Chapter 2, I examined whether individual differences in working memory, basic recall, and memory cue generation predict the ability to make use of information about visual perspective differences during comprehension. A targeted re-analysis of these data (Experiment 2), examined how perspective-taking evolves within a conversational pair, over the course of the conversation. In Chapter 3, I explored the use of spatial perspective-taking during comprehension. In two experiments (Experiments 3 and 4), I examine how listeners encode spatial perspectives in a speaker-specific fashion and use this information during interpretation of spatial language. In Chapter 4, I examined whether listeners can learn high-level, pragmatic information about a speaker through exposure and integrate it with the visual context on-line, during sentence processing. I examined the ability of listeners to learn and transfer this information across contexts (Experiments 5a and 5b), as well as the ability to use this information within a context (Experiment 6). The results of the work reported in this dissertation point to an important role for context-specific learning in the ability of the language processing system to rapidly and efficiently integrate visual, spatial, and pragmatic information during on-line comprehension.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2016

Author dc:creator

• Ryskin, Rachel A

Contributors dc:contributor

• Brown-Schmidt, Sarah
• Benjamin, Aaron
• Dell, Gary
• Federmeier, Kara
• Wang, Ranxiao Frances

• language processing
• language comprehension
• memory
• eye-tracking

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2016 Rachel Ryskin

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/92997

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/92997