Focusing : a dual systems account for the apparent hemispheric lateralisation of language
A model termed the 'Focusing Hypothesis' is presented. It is proposed that language processing is shared by an analytic and a holistic system, according to a task specific balance of demand and efficiency. The analytic system could function alone, but it is more economical, in normal communication, for holistic processing to operate up to clausal level and analysis to deal with the evaluation of propositions. The severe limitations on the abilities of the holistic system originate from its use of formulae to recognise familiar words in familiar structures. Where problems arise, the analytic system 'trouble-shoots', by focusing attention onto the language, at the expense of propositional focus. The relative involvement of the two systems is variable, according to the strategy selected from a task specific strategy option range; the strategy option range and preferences within it are built up as a response to the environmental requirements placed on the individual. Apparent evidence for left hemisphere lateralised language is re-examined in the light of this hypothesis, which proposes that the test environment of most psycholinguistic and clinical assessments induces a language-focusing strategy and thus deactivates
Wray, Alison Margaret
Language processing systems
Focusing : a dual systems account for the apparent hemispheric lateralisation of language. A model termed the 'Focusing Hypothesis' is presented. It is proposed that language processing is shared by an analytic and a holistic system, according to a task specific balance of demand and efficiency. The analytic system could function alone, but it is more economical, in normal communication, for holistic processing to operate up to clausal level and analysis to deal with the evaluation of propositions. The severe limitations on the abilities of the holistic system originate from its use of formulae to recognise familiar words in familiar structures. Where problems arise, the analytic system 'trouble-shoots', by focusing attention onto the language, at the expense of propositional focus. The relative involvement of the two systems is variable, according to the strategy selected from a task specific strategy option range; the strategy option range and preferences within it are built up as a response to the environmental requirements placed on the individual. Apparent evidence for left hemisphere lateralised language is re-examined in the light of this hypothesis, which proposes that the test environment of most psycholinguistic and clinical assessments induces a language-focusing strategy and thus deactivates
focusing dual system account apparent hemispheric language model term focusing hypothesis present propose language_processing share analytic holistic system accord task specific balance demand efficiency analytic system_could function alone economical normal communication holistic processing operate clausal level analysis deal evaluation proposition severe limitation ability holistic system originate use formulae recognise familiar word familiar structure problem_arise analytic system trouble focus_attention onto language expense propositional focus relative involvement system variable accord strategy select task specific_strategy option range strategy option range preference within build response environmental requirement place individual apparent evidence leave hemisphere language re_examined light hypothesis_propose test environment psycholinguistic clinical assessment induce language focusing strategy thus