The Role Of Semantic Relevance In Sentence Processing

Executive function and semantic relevance play an important role in the process of sentence reading comprehension.However,the processing mechanism of these two processes in sentence comprehension is still unclear for a long time.This study combines the paradigm of semantic violation of sentences and ERP technology to explore the role of semantic relevance in sentence processing by measuring individual differences in executive functions.This study is divided into two experiments.Experiment 1 is an executive function test and Experiment 2 is an ERP test for sentence reading comprehension.In Experiment 1,three sub-components of executive function(inhibition control,cognitive flexibility and working memory)were measured to assess the individual differences of reader's executive function.According to the behavioral results of 84 participants in Experiment 1,20 participants with higher level of executive function and 19 participants with lower level of executive function were selected.In Experiment 2,we adopted ERP technology and a 2(Level: higher EFs vs.lower EFs)× 2(World knowledge type: form consistent vs.inconsistent)×2(Relevance type: form related vs.form unrelated)three factors mixed experiment design.The results showed that in the group with higher level of executive function,semantic relevance played a stronger role,which was reflected in the three components of p200,N400 and LPC.That is,when the current information is inconsistent with the reader's background knowledge,but if the semantic information is related to the content in front of the sentence,there is no difference between the inconsistent conditions and the P200 under the consistent conditions.Semantic relevancy plays an independent role on N400 and P600,that is,N400 and LPC are smaller in semantic relevancy.For those who has lower executive function,semantic relevance also plays a repair role in P200 components.The direction of repair was the same as that of the higher function group.However,the semantic relevance between N400 and P600 no longer plays an independent role.This result shows that the executive function of the individual does affect the role of semantic relevance in sentence processing.Semantic relevance plays a more important role in high-functioning groups.But this effect is more manifested in the late components of EEG,and has no effect on the early processing of sentences.