Bilingualism and Brain Lateralization

Bilingualism and Brain Lateralization Polina Gavrilova Brain Lateralization and Neural Networks in Bilinguals In recent years, various studies have been conducted on bilingualism in regard to the neural basis of the first language (L1) and second language (L2) processing. The new technical advances, such as position emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are used to determine whether L1 and L2 share a common neural network or whether languages are represented in different areas of the brain (Dehaene et al., 1997; Perani et al., 1998; Liu, Hu, and Peng, 2010). Studies in neuropsychology have shown that for most people language processing takes place in the perisylvian areas of the left hemisphere. Research on bilinguals and polyglots who suffered brain injury revealed that occasionally aphasia affects only one of the languages that were previously acquired. This finding suggests that languages are represented in different parts of the brain (Paradis, 1995, cited in Perani et al., 1 998) and that L2 has reduced leftward lateralization (Albert Perani et al., 1998; Liu, Hu, and Peng, 2010). This paper examines whether L1 and L2 are supported by a common neural system or whether a dedicated cortical area represents each language. Furthermore, this paper identifies neural substrates activated by L1 and L2 during auditory, word production, and picture naming tasks. Dehaene et al. (1997) examined bilinguals (French-English) who acquired L2 after the age of seven. The researchers found that while listening to a task the superior temporal sulcus (STS), superior and middle temporal guri (STG and MTG), temporal pole (TP), and left angular gyrus (AG) were constantly activated in the left hemisphere for L1. STS and TP were also activated in the right hemisphere but it varied across subjects and the activation wasn’t as strong as in the left hemisphere. In addition, the neural pathway didn’t extend to AG. The findings for L2 showed greater inter-subject varia bility than for L1. The results of fMRI found that six subjects activated STS, STG, and MTG in the left temporal lobe for L2. However, the pixels of these activations were dispersed compared to the results for L1. The second language didn’t cause any activation in the left TP and AG. Also, some of the subjects didn’t show any neural activation in the left temporal region, which suggests that L2 is mostly dominated by their right hemisphere. The results also displayed that subjects activated additional resources while listening to L2. These additional sub-regions were the right STG and STS in the right temporal lobe. In addition, results of L2 showed that some subjects activated various networks outside the temporal lobe. Specifically, these subjects used the left inferior frontal gyrus, located in the Broca’s area, the inferior precentral sulcus, and the anterior cingulate. The research shows that L1 consistently activated the temporal lobe, especially stimulati ng the STS, STG, and MTG in the left hemisphere. Some subjects also activated these cerebral regions for L2 but with greater dispersion. Participants had strong leftward lateralization for L1 and inconsistent lateralization patterns for L2 across subjects. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that L1 is represented in the left hemisphere for most people. Furthermore, the study suggests that late bilinguals require additional neural networks for L2. Therefore, some subjects recruited left inferior frontal gyrus, which is responsible for language production to help maintain L2 while processing it during tasks. The anterior cingulate was another additional resource, which is responsible for attention and control. This suggests that L2 is not as autonomic as L1 and subjects needed more resources and attention to process L2 (Pardo et al., 1990; Posner Paulesu, Frith, & Frackowiak, 1993, cited in Dehaene et al., 1997).

Personality Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Personality Assessment - Essay Example Personality assessment is also vehemently supportive in the treatment process of the individuals; it is therefore the counselors and therapists lay stress upon knowing the domestic, environmental, racial, ethnic and religious background of the patients before starting the treatment procedure. Now, the counselors have also started enquiring about the sexual orientation of the individuals, as such kind of information is pertinent for the recommendation of treatment process of the patients. Personality predicts how a person will work—diligently, intelligently, cheerfully, and cooperatively. Personality affects the style or manner in which a person approaches his/her work; to the degree that a person must work with others—clients or fellow employees—this style matters greatly. (hoganassessments.com) INTP, INTJ, ENFJ, ENFP and others are the prominent personality categories, assessment of which is based upon the theoretical framework of the illustrious 20th century ps ychologist Karl Jung. Since personality assessment diagnosis is a very sensitive issue, the questionnaire must be developed in such a way that it should not hurt the feelings of the patient altogether.

Marketing management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing management - Essay Example Media group possesses half of the National rugby League shares. Furthermore, it is the main share holder of Brisbane Broncos together with Melbourne Storm in the rugby league. The media also owns several studios, broadcasting channels, as well as satellite televisions and internet providing companies among others. The main academic theories applicable in the media industry include mathematical, physics, social, political and legal theories. Human resource academic knowledge is very important in the running of any company. News Corporation has over 50,000 employees of different academic background and skills. It requires appropriate human resource knowledge to manage such work place diversity to ensure the media group maintains its large pool of customers and stakeholders. The company’s human resource teams are Masters Degrees holders in human resources in addition to their vast experiences. Further more; appropriate human resource academic knowledge would help the corporation make appropriate decisions when entering partnership deals with other companies. The essence of knowing the existing work place diversity would determine the lacking skills and professional to be hired. Academic knowledge could be associated with good leadership skills based on equality and this would enable the corporation maintain its customers and other stakeholders. Human resources and business leadership principles could of great help in these situations (Slaughter, 2004). The media group ventures in news papers where appropriate writing skills and English mastery is a plus. Good writing and language skills are associated with good academics. Further more, the newspapers team comprise of researchers who have to engage good data collection methods before publishing. Academics theories enable the researchers understand the social, cultural and religious values of an individual so that whatever information required from him does not violate any of his or her rights. Not every info rmation obtained from the community is worth being published; some news or information could evoke violence if not well handled, and academic theories provide several media acts and policies to govern the industry. Any editor or columnist ought to fully understand such laws to keep a smile in their newspapers’ readers among other stake holders. The corporation ventures in satellite TV channels. A lot of technological knowledge and skills are applied in the industry. For instance, the employees involved need to understand the frequency and wave bands of the satellite signals before they are converted to normal waves so that such channels can be watched by millions of people. News Corporation satellite TV channels are the most quality in the entire Europe and other parts of America. The media group is associated with sophisticated machineries and telecommunication gadgets like dishes, decoders, GPS among other equipment. Such machineries and gadgets require good technological s kills to be operated. The corporation so far has the widest pool of TV demand in the entire world. Quality TV channels due to good academic knowledge would not only maintain the existing customers but attract more. Physics, mathematical and electrical theories play great role in such incidences. The corporation is associated with