The proposed research explores spoken word recognition in infants and adults. Specifically, this research will explore the effects of word familiarity and phonological familiarity on sensitivity to phonetic features during word recognition. With this integrative approach, potential parallels between the two populations can be explored, providing insight about the continuity of the functional architecture underlying word recognition throughout the lifespan. A more complete picture of the mechanisms underlying spoken word recognition is essential for a better understanding of developmental and traumatic language disorders. Two primary methodologies will be employed-the Intermodal Preferential Looking Paradigm and eye-tracking-to assess spoken word processing in infants and adults, respectively. Previous research has demonstrated that eye movements are closely time-locked to lexical processing. These on-line measures will be exploited to probe sensitivity to the phonetic structure of auditory input under conditions of high or low word and phonological familiarity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31DC007541-01
Application #
6936292
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2005-01-15
Project End
2007-01-14
Budget Start
2005-01-15
Budget End
2006-01-14
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$27,265
Indirect Cost
Name
Brown University
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
White, Katherine S; Yee, Eiling; Blumstein, Sheila E et al. (2013) Adults show less sensitivity to phonetic detail in unfamiliar words, too. J Mem Lang 68:362-378
White, Katherine S; Peperkamp, Sharon; Kirk, Cecilia et al. (2008) Rapid acquisition of phonological alternations by infants. Cognition 107:238-65