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What Can Neuroimaging Research Tell Us About Inference Generation during Text Comprehension?
Author(s) -
Virtue Sandra,
Sundermeier Brian
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
language and linguistics compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.619
H-Index - 44
ISSN - 1749-818X
DOI - 10.1111/lnc3.12193
Subject(s) - neuroimaging , inference , comprehension , functional magnetic resonance imaging , computer science , cognitive science , cognition , functional neuroimaging , cognitive psychology , psychology , artificial intelligence , neuroscience , programming language
During text comprehension, individuals often need to represent information that is not explicitly stated in a text by generating inferences. To understand what cognitive processes and corresponding neural substrates are involved when individuals generate inferences, researchers have utilized neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Although relatively few fMRI studies have explicitly investigated inference making, we discuss several neuroimaging findings that we think make unique contributions to the field. Next, we discuss some issues with fMRI that make it challenging for researchers to draw conclusions. Finally, we propose several ideas that researchers could incorporate into future fMRI studies to enhance our understanding of inference generation during text comprehension.