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Motor constellation theory: A model of infants' phonological development.
- Source :
- Frontiers in Psychology; 11/3/2022, Vol. 13, p1-17, 17p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Every normally developing human infant solves the difficult problem of mapping their native-language phonology, but the neural mechanisms underpinning this behavior remain poorly understood. Here, motor constellation theory, an integrative neurophonological model, is presented, with the goal of explicating this issue. It is assumed that infants' motor-auditory phonological mapping takes place through infants' orosensory "reaching" for phonological elements observed in the language-specific ambient phonology, via reference to kinesthetic feedback from motor systems (e.g., articulators), and auditory feedback from resulting speech and speech-like sounds. Attempts are regulated by basal ganglion-cerebellar speech neural circuitry, and successful attempts at reproduction are enforced through dopaminergic signaling. Early in life, the pace of anatomical development constrains mapping such that complete language-specific phonological mapping is prohibited by infants' undeveloped supralaryngeal vocal tract and undescended larynx; constraints gradually dissolve with age, enabling adult phonology. Where appropriate, reference is made to findings from animal and clinical models. Some implications for future modeling and simulation efforts, as well as clinical settings, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- INFANTS
MODEL theory
VOCAL tract
NEURAL circuitry
SPEECH
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16641078
- Volume :
- 13
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 160279301
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.996894