The Brain Has Its Own “Autofill” Function for Speech
Link to Article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-brain-has-its-own-ldquo-autofill-rdquo-function-for-speech/#
"The Brain Has Its Own “Autofill” Function for Speech"
Article Summary:
The research in this article examined how the human brain has evolved to use prediction as a form of "auto correct" when we hear broken speech or made-up language. The study built on prior research conducted with both monkeys' and human infants' artificial grammar recognition. In other words, they examined the ways in which the monkeys and infants related similar sounds in made-up languages to one another. In the newest study conducted at Newcastle University, sequences of made-up language were played to both humans and macaques (primates). Using microelectrodes, the researchers examined the responses of individual neurons and large groups of neurons that process sound. Their results showed the responses were similar in both the monkeys and humans. First, the same groups of neurons were activated in both humans and monkeys when the sentences were grammatically correct. However, the new information gained from this research occurred when made-up language was played. Instead of the basic neural excitation that occured when correct language was played, the grammatically-incorrect language evoked a primary response that predicted what might come next. The "prediction" was then followed by a secondary response, which was the same response seen with grammatically-correct language.
So what does this mean in terms of brain mechanisms? The research shows that cells in the primary auditory cortex rely on sequences of sound in order to predict what might come next. The auditory cortex is either learning about the sounds as they are received or receiving input from previous knowledge and applying that to unfamiliar language. Whether the sound is being learned or predicted is dependent upon whether the primary auditory cortex is expecting the sequence of sound or not.
This research is important in terms of understanding how we efficiently process incoming sounds. We now know that we predict what we hear depending on how the beginning of words are pronounced, not the word itself. This might explain why responses in conversation can be delayed when you are presented with an uncommon word, even though it might be a simple word.
"The Brain Has Its Own “Autofill” Function for Speech"
Article Summary:
The research in this article examined how the human brain has evolved to use prediction as a form of "auto correct" when we hear broken speech or made-up language. The study built on prior research conducted with both monkeys' and human infants' artificial grammar recognition. In other words, they examined the ways in which the monkeys and infants related similar sounds in made-up languages to one another. In the newest study conducted at Newcastle University, sequences of made-up language were played to both humans and macaques (primates). Using microelectrodes, the researchers examined the responses of individual neurons and large groups of neurons that process sound. Their results showed the responses were similar in both the monkeys and humans. First, the same groups of neurons were activated in both humans and monkeys when the sentences were grammatically correct. However, the new information gained from this research occurred when made-up language was played. Instead of the basic neural excitation that occured when correct language was played, the grammatically-incorrect language evoked a primary response that predicted what might come next. The "prediction" was then followed by a secondary response, which was the same response seen with grammatically-correct language.
So what does this mean in terms of brain mechanisms? The research shows that cells in the primary auditory cortex rely on sequences of sound in order to predict what might come next. The auditory cortex is either learning about the sounds as they are received or receiving input from previous knowledge and applying that to unfamiliar language. Whether the sound is being learned or predicted is dependent upon whether the primary auditory cortex is expecting the sequence of sound or not.
This research is important in terms of understanding how we efficiently process incoming sounds. We now know that we predict what we hear depending on how the beginning of words are pronounced, not the word itself. This might explain why responses in conversation can be delayed when you are presented with an uncommon word, even though it might be a simple word.
I think that this information makes a lot of sense especially when you consider the amount of times in conversation with someone especially during a normal interaction or if it is someone you know well how often you can predict the words. I have had it a few times when I respond to something before my friend even finishes what they are saying because I predict what it will be beforehand. Additionally, you get used to hearing certain phrases so when one starts your brain predicts that it will end up being what it tends to normally be.
ReplyDeleteI found this article very thought provoking. I have seen little "fun facts" online, one of which was a paragraph explaining the use of prediction and gap-filling by misspelling the middle parts of words while keeping the ends of the word's letters in tact. This article reminded of the vision segment of the course where it was explained how the brain "predicts" or otherwise creates a simulated image of the periphery of our vision until the person looks directly at the spot again. The more I study the senses the more I have found that the level of distortion and post-stimulus processing the brain does to initial stimuli in order to make it comprehensible is remarkable. I have always wondered if this research, once fully understood, could be applied to animals as it relates to their senses. It may be possible to get a better insight into how animals perceive the world, or even vice versa say the animal research out paces the human.
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