Hemispheric differences in the processing of words learned early versus later in childhood.
The research investigated whether there are hemispheric differences in processing for words acquired early in childhood (early AoA) and words acquired later in childhood (late AoA). We hypothesized that because of recent evidence suggesting that there is a right hemisphere dominance in early childhood, early AoA words would be represented in the right hemisphere, and late AoA words would be represented in the left hemisphere. This hypothesis differs from an early view that late AoA words would be represented in the left hemisphere, and early AoA words would be represented in both hemispheres (Gazzaniga, 1974). We report two experiments using the divided visual field (DVF) technique. The results showed that there was a right visual field (RVF)/left hemisphere (LH) advantage only for late AoA words. For early AoA words, there was a left visual field (LVF)/right hemisphere advantage (RH). Implications for theories of hemispheric differences in word processing are discussed.
a University of Maryland.
J Michael
JM
Bowers
Kristopher I
KI
Bradley
Shelia M
SM
Kennison
D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007804:Language Development; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D014794:Visual Fields; D055815:Young Adult
age of acquisition; divided visual field paradigm; hemispheric differences; lexical decision task