Matching pictures and signs: An ERP study of the effects of iconic structural alignment in American sign language. (12th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGarry, Meghan E.; Massa, Natasja; Mott, Megan; Midgley, Katherine J.; Holcomb, Phillip J.; Emmorey, Karen
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychologia. Volume 162(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11-12
• Subjects: Sign language -- Iconicity -- ERPs -- Deaf -- Structural alignment; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2021.108051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3932

Abstract

Abstract: Event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to explore the effects of iconicity and structural visual alignment between a picture-prime and a sign-target in a picture-sign matching task in American Sign Language (ASL). Half the targets were iconic signs and were presented after a) a matching visually-aligned picture (e.g., the shape and location of the hands in the sign COW align with the depiction of a cow with visible horns), b) a matching visually-nonaligned picture (e.g., the cow's horns were not clearly shown), and c) a non-matching picture (e.g., a picture of a swing instead of a cow). The other half of the targets were filler signs. Trials in the matching condition were responded to faster than those in the non-matching condition and were associated with smaller N400 amplitudes in deaf ASL signers. These effects were also observed for hearing non-signers performing the same task with spoken-English targets. Trials where the picture-prime was aligned with the sign target were responded to faster than non-aligned trials and were associated with a reduced P3 amplitude rather than a reduced N400, suggesting that picture-sign alignment facilitated the decision process, rather than lexical access. These ERP and behavioral effects of alignment were found only for the ASL signers. The results indicate that iconicity effects on sign comprehension may reflect a task-dependent strategic use of iconicity, rather than facilitation of lexical access. Highlights: Participants indicated whether a picture-prime and a sign/word-target match. Signers and non-signers had faster RTs and a reduced N400 for matching trials. Signers reacted faster when the picture and iconic sign were structurally aligned. Alignment reduced P3 amplitude for signers, indicating easier decision-making. No effect of alignment for non-signing participants.