Access to Perceptual and Conceptual Information in the Left and Right Hemispheres

Abstract

It is assumed that there are hemispheric differences in the type of information available for the processing of word meanings, e.g., categorical or associative information. In the present experiment, we used a semantic priming paradigm to examine whether perceptual or conceptual properties of word meanings would be associated with the left or right hemisphere. The present experiment also examined time-course activation of these properties across the hemispheres, using short and long stimulus onset asynchronies. The results indicated that perceptual information is available only in the right hemisphere at an early rather than a late stage of target processing, while conceptual information is available in both hemispheres at both early and later stages of target processing. It is suggested that the imagery system in the right hemisphere may contribute to the perceptual priming observed in this hemisphere.

Why Are the Right and Left Hemisphere Conceptual Representations Different?

“…Analogous results were obtained in experiments conducted in normal subjects, studying the categorization of verbal and pictorial stimuli tachistoscopically presented to the right and left hemisphere [34]. Similar results have also been found in studies using a semantic priming paradigm to examine whether perceptual or conceptual components of word meanings would be associated with the left or right hemisphere [35]. Results of neuroimaging investigations in normal subjects and brain-damaged patients are consistent with these behavioural studies.…”