Abstract
Human concepts differ in their dimensionality. Some, like green-things, require representing one dimension while abstracting over many others. Others, like bird, have higher dimensionality due to numerous category-relevant properties (feathers, two-legs). Converging evidence points to the importance of verbal labels for forming low-dimensional categories. We examined the role of verbal labels in categorization by (1) using transcranial direct current stimulation over Wernicke's area (2) providing explicit verbal labels during a category learning task. We trained participants on a novel perceptual categorization task in which categories could be distinguished by either a uni- or bi-dimensional criterion. Cathodal stimulation over Wernicke's area reduced reliance on single-dimensional solutions, while presenting informationally redundant novel labels reduced reliance on the dimension that is normally incidental in the real world. These results provide further evidence that implicit and explicit verbal labels support the process of human categorization.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 66-72 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Brain and Language |
| Volume | 135 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Categorization
- Labeling
- Selective representation
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- Wernicke's area
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Linguistics and Language
- Speech and Hearing
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Language and Linguistics
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
The role of language in multi-dimensional categorization : Evidence from transcranial direct current stimulation and exposure to verbal labels. / Perry, Lynn; Lupyan, Gary.
In: Brain and Language, Vol. 135, 2014, p. 66-72.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of language in multi-dimensional categorization
T2 - Evidence from transcranial direct current stimulation and exposure to verbal labels
AU - Perry, Lynn
AU - Lupyan, Gary
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Human concepts differ in their dimensionality. Some, like green-things, require representing one dimension while abstracting over many others. Others, like bird, have higher dimensionality due to numerous category-relevant properties (feathers, two-legs). Converging evidence points to the importance of verbal labels for forming low-dimensional categories. We examined the role of verbal labels in categorization by (1) using transcranial direct current stimulation over Wernicke's area (2) providing explicit verbal labels during a category learning task. We trained participants on a novel perceptual categorization task in which categories could be distinguished by either a uni- or bi-dimensional criterion. Cathodal stimulation over Wernicke's area reduced reliance on single-dimensional solutions, while presenting informationally redundant novel labels reduced reliance on the dimension that is normally incidental in the real world. These results provide further evidence that implicit and explicit verbal labels support the process of human categorization.
AB - Human concepts differ in their dimensionality. Some, like green-things, require representing one dimension while abstracting over many others. Others, like bird, have higher dimensionality due to numerous category-relevant properties (feathers, two-legs). Converging evidence points to the importance of verbal labels for forming low-dimensional categories. We examined the role of verbal labels in categorization by (1) using transcranial direct current stimulation over Wernicke's area (2) providing explicit verbal labels during a category learning task. We trained participants on a novel perceptual categorization task in which categories could be distinguished by either a uni- or bi-dimensional criterion. Cathodal stimulation over Wernicke's area reduced reliance on single-dimensional solutions, while presenting informationally redundant novel labels reduced reliance on the dimension that is normally incidental in the real world. These results provide further evidence that implicit and explicit verbal labels support the process of human categorization.
KW - Categorization
KW - Labeling
KW - Selective representation
KW - Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
KW - Wernicke's area
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84904861908&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84904861908&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bandl.2014.05.005
DO - 10.1016/j.bandl.2014.05.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 24980415
AN - SCOPUS:84904861908
VL - 135
SP - 66
EP - 72
JO - Brain and Language
JF - Brain and Language
SN - 0093-934X
ER -