Semantic processing: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Mental process of relating a perceived word to other words of similar meaning}}

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In [[psycholinguistics]], '''semantic processing''' is the stage of [[language processing]] that occurs after one hears a [[word]] and encodes its [[Semantics|meaning]]: the mind relates the word to other words with similar meanings. Once a word is perceived, it is placed in a context mentally that allows for a deeper processing. Therefore, semantic processing produces [[Multiple trace theory|memory trace]]s that last longer than those produced by shallow processing, since shallow processing produces fragile memory traces that decay rapidly.

Proper semantic cognition requires 1) knowledge about the item/word and its features or associations, 2) Retrievingretrieving the proper information that fits one's current goals and situation. For example, if one saw a sign while driving that said “fork in the road ahead” they should be able to inhibit a strong association (e.g., silverware), and retrieve a distant association that is more relevant meaning (e.g., road structures).

Semantic processing is the deepest level of processing and it requires the listener to think about the meaning of the cue. Studies on [[brain imaging]] have shown that, when semantic processing occurs, there is increased [[brain activity]] in the left [[prefrontal cortex|prefrontal regions]] of the brain that does not occur during different kinds of processing. One study used MRI to measure the brain activity of subjects while they made semantic decisions. The participants then took a memory test after a short period of time. When the subjects showed high confidence and correctly retained the information, the fMRI measured increased activity in the left prefrontal regions.

==Convergent semantic processing==

Convergent semantic processing occurs during tasks that elicit a limited number of responses. During these tasks, subjects must suppress alternate options in order to select a single best option from a multitude of choices. It is believed that the left hemisphere of the brain dominates convergent semantic processing due to the fine grained, small window of temporal integration.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Faust |first1=Miriam |last2=Lavidor |first2=Michal |date=2003-10-01 |title=Semantically convergent and semantically divergent priming in the cerebral hemispheres: lexical decision and semantic judgment |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926641003001721 |journal=Cognitive Brain Research |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=585–597 |doi=10.1016/S0926-6410(03)00172-1 |issn=0926-6410 |pmid=14561447|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title=Choosing words: left hemisphere, right hemisphere, or both? Perspective on the lateralization of word retrieval | author1=Stéphanie K. Riès | author2=Nina F. Dronkers | author3=Robert T. Knight | url=http://www.ebire.org/aphasia/dronkers/choosing_words.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927095716/http://www.ebire.org/aphasia/dronkers/choosing_words.pdf | archive-date=2016-09-27}}</ref> Spatially, [[neurons]] in the left hemispheres occupy mutually exclusive regions, allowing for the more fine-tuned response seen in convergent semantic processing.

===Neurons in the left hemisphere===

During semantic processing, the Leftleft Hemispherehemisphere will prime for the dominant and the subordinate meaning of an ambiguous word (Wordswords are considered to be ambiguous when their semantic features separate into distinct semantic representations). The Leftleft Hemispherehemisphere will then select the dominant or most relevant meaning of the word, and inhibit meanings that are less relevant or frequent. Despite activating subordinate meanings of the words, the Leftleft Hemispherehemisphere shows no facilitation of them, and their activation decays very quickly. Compared to the Rightright Hemispherehemisphere, the Leftleft Hemispherehemisphere activates a small semantic field and close semantic relationships strongly.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Thompson |first1=H. E. |last2=Henshall |first2=L. |last3=Jefferies |first3=E. |date=2016 |title=The role of the right hemisphere in semantic control: A case-series comparison of right and left hemisphere stroke |journal=Neuropsychologia |volume=85 |pages=44–61 |doi=10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.02.030 |pmc=4863527 |pmid=26945505}}</ref> While convergent semantic processing and the activation of common word meanings and semantic features are advantageous for various linguistic tasks, the Leftleft Hemispherehemisphere faces challenges in scenarios where the recognition of an ambiguous word requires the activation of multiple primes that can either converge into a subordinate meaning or diverge into incompatible meanings of the word.

Studies of patients with left hemisphere damage have demonstrated a disruption of convergent semantic processing, causing subjects to associate words with abstract, non-literal meanings produced by the right hemisphere. For example, a subject with left hemisphere damage may affiliate the word “deep” with “wise” rather than its literal antonym “shallow.” However, damage to the Left Hemisphere will preserve summation priming.

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* Phone: to call, to text, to scroll, to play, to communicate, to connect, etc.

== Example of Differenceshemispheric differences in Left and Right Hemispheres for Word Associationsassociations ==

[[File:Left_vs._Right_Hemispheres_Semantic_Processing.png|center|thumb|552x552px|Visual Depiction of Left vs.and Right Hemispheres Duringduring Semantic Processing.png|center|thumb|521x521px]]

Above is an example of what differences in the Left and Right Hemispheres may look like during semantic processing. If one was told asked for the associations of the word "corn," the Left Hemisphere would most likely quickly prime the image circled above, a corn on the cob. The Right Hemisphere on the other hand, would prime both the corn on the cob, as well as other loosely associated words or meanings, like a corn maze, cornbread, popcorn, or even other starchy vegetables like peas. Though it works slower, the Right Hemisphere is able to activate a wider semantic network, and sustain it for longer than the Left Hemisphere.

==References==

<references />

[[Category:Semantics]]