Covernt response patterns during the procession of language stimuli

Abstract

 Three experiments were conducted in which Ss silently read, memorized, listened to prose, to music or to nothing. The findings confirmed those previously reported that during silent reading Ss significantly increase covert oral behavior (chin and tongue electro­myograms, EMG), preferred forearm EMG and breathing rate. Furthermore, these increases are significantly greater than those that occur when listening to music or attentive listening to nothing. A similar pattern of responses occurs during memorization, though with increased amplitude. Preferred (forearm EMG and breathing rate changes are significantly greater during the three conditions that involve language than for the non-language conditions. It is concluded that increased covert oral behavior, preferred forearm responses and breathing rate are associated with the processing of language stimuli.