Exploring individual differences in language processing using behavioral and electrophysiological methods

在科学研究中，语言能力的个体差异常常被抛弃。然而，对语言处理的全面描述需要考虑共性和个体差异。我这项研究的长期目标是详细说明语言处理过程中个体差异背后的神经认知机制。这一解释将解释语言特有(例如词汇知识)和领域通用(例如工作记忆)机制是如何导致语言加工中的个体差异的。它将在语言行为和大脑反应之间建立联系。最后，它将适用于具有不同语言特征的人群。使用一些创新的方法方法，并坚持现有的可重复和透明的科学标准，我将追求以下短期目标。目的1是评估语言处理的几种行为和电生理测量的可靠性和稳定性。被发现在个人内部稳定的衡量标准将在进一步研究中用作个人表现的指标。目标2是将感兴趣区域的功能定位技术推进到电生理学领域。这一创新的方法论方法将使我能够解释个人大脑中专门负责语言的功能区位置的可变性。在目标3中，我将探索三个具有不同语言特征的人群在语言处理过程中行为和神经反应的个体间差异：(I)单一语言者，(Ii)双语者，和(Iii)自闭症谱系障碍(ASD)患者，这是一个以语言处理障碍为特征的群体。这项研究将对语言加工过程中的行为反应和神经反应之间的联系进行深入的评估，并将促进我们对特定语言和领域通用认知机制对语言能力个体差异的影响的理解。获得的关于导致语言技能差异的因素的知识将告知教育工作者，他们将利用这些信息创建针对个人认知能力的计划。最后，这项研究将做出一些方法论上的贡献，包括(I)对几种语言理解测量的稳定性进行综合评估，(Ii)介绍EEG通道/感兴趣区域的功能定位方法，以及(Iii)对应用于EEG/ERP数据的几种分析技术(即潜在差异分数模型(LDS)和代表性相似性分析(RSA))进行验证。总之，拟议的研究将使我在理解语言多样性的机制方面取得重大进展。

Individual variability in language abilities is often discarded from scientific investigation. A comprehensive account of language processing, however, requires consideration of commonalities as well as individual differences. The long-term goal of my research is to provide a detailed account of the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying individual differences in language processing. This account will explain how language-specific (e.g., lexical knowledge) and domain-general (e.g., working memory) mechanisms contribute to individual differences in language processing. It will establish a link between linguistic behaviour and brain responses. Finally, it will apply to populations with different linguistic profiles. Using a number of innovative methodological approaches and adhering to the current standards of reproducible and transparent science, I will pursue the following short-term aims. Aim 1 is to assess reliability and stability of several behavioural and electrophysiological measures of language processing. Measures found to be stable within individuals will be used as indicators of individual performance in further studies. Aim 2 is to advance a technique of functional localization of regions of interest to the field of electrophysiology. This innovative methodological approach will allow me to account for variability in locations of functional areas dedicated to language in the individual brains. In Aim 3, I will explore inter-individual variations in behavioural and neural responses during language processing across 3 populations with distinct linguistic profiles: (i) monolinguals, (ii) bilinguals, and (iii) individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a group characterized by impaired processing of language. The proposed research will provide an in-depth evaluation of associations between behavioural and neural responses evoked during language processing and will advance our understanding of effects that language-specific and domain-general cognitive mechanisms have on individual differences in linguistic abilities. The obtained knowledge about factors contributing to variability in linguistic skills will inform educators, who will use this information to create programs tailored to the cognitive strengths of an individual. Finally, this research will make a number of methodological contributions, including (i) a comprehensive assessment of stability of several language comprehension measures, (ii) an introduction of the method of functional localization of EEG channels/regions of interest, and (iii) a validation of several analysis techniques applied to EEG/ERP data (i.e., latent difference score modeling (LDS) and representational similarity analysis (RSA)). To conclude, the proposed research will allow me to make significant advances in understanding mechanisms of linguistic diversity.