Bonhage Corinna E, Meyer Lars, Gruber Thomas, Friederici Angela D, Mueller Jutta L
Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Neuropsychology Department, Leipzig, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics, Neuroscience Department, Frankfurt a. M., Germany.
Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Neuropsychology Department, Leipzig, Germany.
Neuroimage. 2017 May 15;152:647-657. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.03.018. Epub 2017 Mar 10.
Sentences are easier to remember than random word sequences, likely because linguistic regularities facilitate chunking of words into meaningful groups. The present electroencephalography study investigated the neural oscillations modulated by this so-called sentence superiority effect during the encoding and maintenance of sentence fragments versus word lists. We hypothesized a chunking-related modulation of neural processing during the encoding and retention of sentences (i.e., sentence fragments) as compared to word lists. Time-frequency analysis revealed a two-fold oscillatory pattern for the memorization of sentences: Sentence encoding was accompanied by higher delta amplitude (4Hz), originating both from regions processing syntax as well as semantics (bilateral superior/middle temporal regions and fusiform gyrus). Subsequent sentence retention was reflected in decreased theta (6Hz) and beta/gamma (27-32Hz) amplitude instead. Notably, whether participants simply read or properly memorized the sentences did not impact chunking-related activity during encoding. Therefore, we argue that the sentence superiority effect is grounded in highly automatized language processing mechanisms, which generate meaningful memory chunks irrespective of task demands.
句子比随机的单词序列更容易记忆，这可能是因为语言规律有助于将单词分成有意义的组块。目前的脑电图研究调查了在句子片段与单词列表的编码和维持过程中，受这种所谓的句子优势效应调制的神经振荡。我们假设，与单词列表相比，在句子（即句子片段）的编码和保留过程中，神经处理存在与组块相关的调制。时频分析揭示了句子记忆的一种双重振荡模式：句子编码伴随着更高的δ波幅（4Hz），其起源于处理句法和语义的区域（双侧颞上/中区域和梭状回）。随后的句子保留则表现为θ波（6Hz）和β/γ波（27 - 32Hz）波幅降低。值得注意的是，参与者是简单阅读还是正确记忆句子，在编码过程中并不影响与组块相关的活动。因此，我们认为句子优势效应基于高度自动化的语言处理机制，这种机制无论任务要求如何，都会生成有意义的记忆组块。
