SPCH3106 Exam with 111 Questions and Correct Answers.
Levels of language code - Correct answer segmental level = phonemes
Lexical level = series of phonemes make a word
Sentential level = series of words make up a sentence, we do not process info on word-
word basis
Discourse level = meaning conveyed via sentences
Cognitive neuropsychology - Correct answer the investigation of impaired processors
following brain injury based on a detailed model of normal functioning in order to identify
underlying deficits
Modularity, fraction ability, and transparency of CN approach - Correct answer
Modularity = made up of several functionally independent modules
Fraction ability = lesions can destroy one or more modules in a system, leaving other
unharmed
Transparency = pathological behavior post brain damage is a result of the system
functioning in the absence of damaged processors
Kay et al (1992) model - Correct answer - functional model that is sequential in nature
and demonstrates bottom-up processing (move from smaller to larger units e.g. AA-PIL-
SS)
- Each module is specific to one domain of language processing
- Mandatory operation
- Fast acting
- Nil introspect
Three types of evidence for impaired processors: - Correct answer 1. Effects of
variables on performance e.g. image ability, frequency
2. The nature of errors
3. Performance across tasks that share processing components
Speech perception vs. speech recognition - Correct answer Speech perception involves
the AA module recognizing the distinctive features to produce a phonological
representation. At this stage we have not accessed lexical entries (listening > AA)
Vs.
,Speech recognition involves access to the lexicon via the phonological representation
which was detailed in the AA, at this level we recognize the given lexical item as we
have accessed the PIL (listening > AA > PIL)
Simple model of speech recognition vs. alternative model - Correct answer Simple
model of speech recognition explains that each phoneme is attributed a spectral energy
pattern (time slice on spectrogram) and that our AA sequentially identifies phonemes
based on spectral energy pattern.
Vs.
Alternative model of speech recognition explains that each word is attributed a spectral
energy pattern and therefore AA identifies words based on spectral energy pattern
interpreted
Fall down of simple and alternative models for speech recognition - Correct answer Fail
to consider identification of word boundaries, phonological environments, auditory
environment, and the speaker's voice, speech rate, and style
Phonological parsing - Correct answer Evidence suggests that a degree of phonological
parsing occurs prior to lexical retrieval. The process of phonological parsing entails the
AA module analyzing the phonetic representation of the word which includes distinctive
and non-distinctive features to then produce a phonological representation which is
phonetically underspecified and includes only distinctive features. This phonological
representation is a pre-lexical requirement and provides the access code to the
respective lexical item in the lexicon.
Two overarching theories of lexical retrieval: - Correct answer 1. Dictionary consultation
model = active sequential search process
2. Information activates words, or their loggers = passive activation occurs whereby as
soon as threshold is met, a logger is active and therefore the word can be accessed
Theories must be able to account for frequency and semantic priming effects to be
considered valid
Four theories of lexical retrieval: - Correct answer 1. Forster's (1976) model is aligned
with the active sequential search process, it describes that a master file for each word
exists and that each contain three files specifying the orthographic, phonological, and
semantic/syntactic information pertaining to the word.
2. Morton's model of logger activation is more aligned with the passive activation
theories. It describes a model whereby every word has a logger which is activated once
threshold is met, and remains active for a short period after. Explains frequency effect
as higher frequency words have a higher baseline of activation. Explains semantic
,priming effect as given information partially activates semantically related words and
their loggers.
3. Cohort Model = at start of a word, a cohort of potential lexical items are identified and
as more information becomes available a process of progressive elimination occurs until
possible candidates is reduced to one. Explains frequency effect = higher frequency
words are narrowed down quicker. Explains the semantic priming effect = very focused
on context.
4. The TRACE model explains that at each level of the model there are nodes, inter-
nodal connections are inhibitory within the same level, excitatory across levels, and
bidirectional. Explains frequency effect = higher baseline of activation. Explains
semantic priming = partial activation of semantically related words simultaneously
Word-sound deafness - Correct answer - occurs due to deficit at AA
- AA unable to create phonological representation
- AA unable to perform phonological parsing
- Experimental paradigms = phoneme discrimination and identification
- would expect impaired repetition, lexical decision, phoneme discrimination, and picture
matching
Word-form deafness - Correct answer - occurs due to PIL deficit
- Unable to access lexical representations
- Disturbance in permanent representation of phonological forms
- would expect spared phoneme discrimination and no word repetition, and impaired
word repetition, lexical decision, and picture matching tasks
Word-meaning deafness - Correct answer - occurs due to deficit at level of connection
between PIL and SS
- cannot access meaning of lexical items
- would expect spared repetition, phoneme discrimination, and lexical decisions, but
impaired picture matching
How do I assess a word sound deafness - Correct answer Experimental paradigms =
phoneme discrimination and identification
A word-sound deafness may be suspected if the patient is unable to discriminate
between phonemes.
PALPA subtests 1-4 are suitable for diagnosing an impairment in the AA module.
PALPA 1 is sufficient alone (no word phoneme discrimination tasks).
PALPA 16 and 17 include phoneme identification of initial and final phoneme segments,
more useful for therapy planning.
, Additionally, prior to hypothesizing specific module impairments, if it is predicted that
there is an auditory comprehension deficit, then it is ideal to start with an assessment
that considers all processes (AA-PIL-SS) such as spoken word-picture matching
(PALPA 47).
How do I assess a word form deafness - Correct answer a word-form deafness may be
suspected if the patient is unable to make auditory lexical decisions - discriminate
between words and no words?
PALPA 5 = only PALPA subtest to specifically assess auditory lexical decisions, PALPA
6 = auditory lexical decision + morphology
Can also be useful to assess word (PALPA 7) and no word (PALPA 8) repetition
In a word-form deafness, you may identify that shorter words are harder to identify due
to larger amount of phonological neighbors (words differing by a single phoneme)
relative to larger words
Additionally, prior to hypothesizing specific module impairments, if it is predicted that
there is an auditory comprehension deficit, then it is ideal to start with an assessment
that considers all processes (AA-PIL-SS) such as spoken word-picture matching
(PALPA 47).
PALPA 1 - Correct answer -assesses word-sound deafness (AA)
-client asked to discriminate between two non-words, whether they are same or different
-looks at distinctive features which informs therapy
-ideal starting point for AA functioning testing
PALPA 2 - Correct answer -assesses word-sound deafness (AA)
-client asked to discriminate between real words
-PALPA 1 is trickier, do not need to do 1 and 2
-can demonstrate frequency effects
PALPA 4 - Correct answer -assesses word-sound deafness (AA)
-has to match word to minimal pair pictures presented to them
-distractor items = phonologically similar = more difficult as have to make more finer
distinctions
PALPA 16 - Correct answer -assesses word-sound deafness (AA)
-identification rather than discrimination
-say a word and client has to choose which sound out of a few sounds is the initial
phoneme
17 is similar, however looks into final phoneme segments
PALPA 8 - Correct answer -assesses repetition (non-word route only (AA-APC-PAB))
