Language and Thinking: the evidence from severe aphasia

Lead Research Organisation: University of Sheffield
Department Name: Human Communication Sciences

Abstract

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Description The role of language in enabling sophisticated thought is an important question in the cognitive sciences. The human species is characterised by unique behaviours and cultural achievements (e.g., complex social cognition, mathematics, science, religion), and also an apparently unique capability for language. Many scientists suggest that the association between sophisticated cognition and culture, and language is not a coincidence, and that language has created the capacity for achievements in ot
Exploitation Route An important overall finding is that of preservation of intellectual capacities despite profound aphasic language impairment. This has significant implications for issues of mental capacity of people with aphasia and their competence to make decisions such as healthcare or finance. We communicated these findings to people with aphasia and their families via patient websites (e.g. http://www.aphasianow.org/Resources/Aphasia_Research/Rosemary_Varley,_Sheff_Uni~255/).



Our results are also of in
Sectors Education,Healthcare
 
Description Findings of the research have been used to inform mathematics education, and also reported in mainstream media (e.g. Radio 4 Word of Mouth programme). They have also informed clinicians' opinion on cognitive impairments associated with severe aphasia.
First Year Of Impact 2010
Sector Education,Healthcare
Impact Types Cultural,Societal
 
Description International research collaboration 
Organisation Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Invitation to give seminar at MIT, after which a joint programme of research has been devised. That collaboration is continuing with a new set of publications likely to appear in 2015.
Collaborator Contribution Addition of functional brain imaging expertise; expertise in music processing; expertise in concepts research.
Impact Oral report Society for Neuroscience
Start Year 2012
 
Description International research collaboration Netherlands 
Organisation Radboud University Nijmegen
Department Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour
Country Netherlands 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution New experimental study: methods of which might form basis for investigation of non-linguistic communicative capacity in severe aphasia
Collaborator Contribution Use of an established behavioural paradigm
Impact Willems, RM., Benn, Y., Hagoort, P., Toni, I., & Varley RA. 2011. Communication without a functioning language system. Neuropsychologia, 49, 3130-3135.
Start Year 2010
 
Description Evolutionary maths 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Interview with on-line mathematics magazine: sparked debate and further discussion
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2007
URL http://plus.maths.org/issue44/features/varley/index.html
 
Description Media interest: BBC Radio 4 Word of Mouth (Programme on Inner speech & thought) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact BBC Interview that provoked debate on broad issues such as role of inner speech in anxiety and depression, as well as in thinking.

Information to society
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2010