Cognitive Control, Communication and Perception Group

One of the central questions in cognitive science concerns the role which general systems (e.g. attention, memory) play in the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of abstract and concrete representations. On one hand, this question refers to the issue of the activation exchange, overlap or higher-order universal representations available for different knowledge domains. On the other, this question concerns the role of control and access mechanisms in regulating the interplay between different knowledge representations. Our newly organized research group pursues these two questions in a research agenda focusing on the role of domain-general (e.g. attention) and domain-specific (perceptual, sensory-motor) systems in representing abstract and concrete knowledge. We incorporate various theoretical approaches and research methodologies in order to investigate the cognitive processes and the corresponding neuroanatomical networks involved in human communication. Our main focus is on the analysis of the interplay between the domain-specific and the domain-general cognitive operations as well as the reliance of these operations on the shared neural networks.

Our projects

LANGUAGE-COGNITION INTERFACE IN SENTENCE PRODUCTION

This project examines the nature and the chronometric properties of the language-cognition interface with the specific focus on syntax and attention. The main methodology combines priming and eye tracking with extemporaneous visual-world language production tasks and reaction time chronometry.

INVESTIGATION OF ON THE NEURAL DYNAMICS OF SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION (EEG, MEG)

We explore which types and stages of linguistic information processing in the brain are automatic and which ones depend on active attentional control. We are looking to define the time frame of lexical, semantic and syntactic processes as well as their parallel, sequentially or cascaded temporal dynamics.

MANUAL AFFORDANCES IN MEMORY AND PERCEPTION

This project examines activation of manual affordances by linguistic, perceptual, and motor cues stored in long- and short-term memory as well as provided by the environment. A complimentary focus will be on the cross-domain interactions between affordance-related parameters of visual objects’ representations and other related domains (e.g. magnitude, size, language, etc.). Main methodology will combine priming, eye tracking, manual reaction-time chronometry, and language comprehension, and language production.

MULTIMODAL NEUROIMAGING OF RAPID LANGUAGE LEARNING WITH THE HELP OF EEG, MEG, FMRI AND TMS

This project is aimed at building a theory-based model of language acquisition mechanisms. To this end, it investigates the neural networks involved in acquisition of new word forms, their meaning and their use in complex contexts, as well as the involvement of attentional cognitive control in the learning process.

LANGUAGE NEUROTECHNOLOGY

This project seeks to develop techniques for assessing neurocognitive functions (e.g. attention, lexico-semantic memories) objectively and non-invasively, and on optimal protocols for non-invasive mapping of language-related neural activity in various conditions (e.g. aphasia) . This is done using patient-friendly MEG as well as fRMI and TMS in neurological patients and using healthy subjects.

EMBODIED REPRESENTATIONS OF LANGUAGE, MAGNITUDE AND NUMBER

This project examines the grounding of linguistic and non-linguistic representations of magnitude and number in domain-specific (perceptual, sensorimotor) systems. This project also addresses the issue of cross-domain priming from linguistic onto non-linguistic numerical codes in relation to the embodied and sensorimotor components of number representations. Main methodology will combine priming, eye-tracking, manual reaction-time recording, language production and language comprehension tasks, as well as a range of neuroimaging tools. CCCP Lab is currently in the process of being established at HSE in a joint effort with our international collaborators.