Age of Acquisition Effect: Evidence From Single-Word Reading and Neural Networks

Journal Title: Basic and Clinical Neuroscience - Year 2019, Vol 10, Issue 2

Abstract

Introduction: Many studies show that words learned early in life are read more easily than the ones learned later and are less vulnerable to brain damage. Methods: the first part of the current study, 25 primary school students in the 5th grade read the word groups learned initially during a previous grade. The words used in the experiments were 327 Farsi monosyllable words matched on the other factors involved in Farsi word naming.  Results: The analysis of covariance (the consistency and frequency as covariates) showed that words learned in earlier grades were read more easily than the ones learned later, showing the known effect of the Age of Acquisition (AoA). In the second part of the study, it was tried to simulate AoA in word naming by a neural network model developed earlier based on connectionist approach. While previous studies used random patterns, in the current study words from primary school books were used. Likewise, words learned early by the model were read better than words learned later. However, there was a failure in replicating previous simulation of AoA in English reading by an algorithm called Quick prop for Farsi. In addition, the model was lesioned by removing some hidden units to see its effect on word reading. As a result, words learned earlier were less vulnerable to damage compared with the ones learned later. Conclusion: The findings showed that words learned earlier, compared to those learned later, were read better and were less vulnerable to damage. These effects are explained by considering the nature of learning in neural networks trained by error back-propagation.

Authors and Affiliations

Ahmad Sohrabi

Keywords

Related Articles

The Effect of Parental Medical History on the Prevalence of Cerebrovascular Diseases in Their Children in an Iranian Population

Introduction: still a controversial issue, family history is known as a risk factor for the development of Cerebrovascular Diseases (CVD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between parental history and...

The Conference of the Birds: An Old Artistic Concept Making Sense in Modern Sciences

In this article, we will discuss scientific aspects of an old Persian story, Simorgh, in the book of The Conference of the Birds. The story is fulfilled with artistic and philosophical metaphors that make sense in two ho...

Effect of Co-administration of Bumetanide and Phenobarbital on Seizure Attacks in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Introduction: The resistance of temporal lobe epilepsy to classic drugs is thought to be due to disruption in the excitation/inhibition of this pathway. Two chloride transporters, NKCC1 and KCC2, are expressed differentl...

Executive Functions in Students With Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate and compare the executive functions of students with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms with those functions in healthy ones. Methods: This study was a comparative and...

Neuroprotective Effect of Zataria Multiflora Essential Oil on Rats With Alzheimer Disease: A Mechanistic Study

Introduction: Finding herbs with promising effects to prevent or postpone Alzheimer Disease (AD) is highly demanded. The present study aimed at clarifying plausible effects and related mechanism(s) of Zataria Multiflora...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP478172
  • DOI 10.32598/bcn.9.10.120
  • Views 128
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Ahmad Sohrabi (2019). Age of Acquisition Effect: Evidence From Single-Word Reading and Neural Networks. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 10(2), 137-146. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-478172