Theories of decision-making and its neural substrates have long assumed the existence of two distinct and competing valuation systems, variously described as goal-directed vs. habitual, or, more recently and based on statistical arguments, as model-free vs. model-based reinforcement-learning. Though both have been shown to control choices, the cognitive abilities associated with these systems are under ongoing investigation. Here we examine the link to cognitive abilities, and find that individual differences in processing speed covary with a shift from model-free to model-based (...) choice control in the presence of above-average working memory function. This suggests shared cognitive and neural processes; provides a bridge between literatures on intelligence and valuation; and may guide the development of process models of different valuation components. Furthermore, it provides a rationale for individual differences in the tendency to deploy valuation systems, which may be important for understanding the manifold neuropsychiatric diseases associated with malfunctions of valuation. (shrink)

Acoustic speech output results from coordinated articulation of dozens of muscles, bones and cartilages of the vocal mechanism. While we commonly take the fluency and speed of our speech productions for granted, the neural mechanisms facilitating the requisite muscular control are not completely understood. Previous neuroimaging and electrophysiology studies of speech sensorimotor control has typically concentrated on speech sounds (i.e., phonemes, syllables and words) in isolation; sentence-length investigations have largely been used to inform coincident linguistic processing. In this study, we (...) examined the neural representations of segmental features (place and manner of articulation, and voicing status) in the context of fluent, continuous speech production. We used recordings from the cortical surface (electrocorticography (ECoG)) to simultaneously evaluate the spatial topography and temporal dynamics of the neural correlates of speech articulation that may mediate the generation of hypothesized gestural or articulatory scores. We found that the representation of place of articulation involved broad networks of brain regions during all phases of speech production: preparation, execution and monitoring. In contrast, manner of articulation and voicing status were dominated by auditory cortical responses after speech had been initiated. These results provide a new insight into the articulatory and auditory processes underlying speech production in terms of their motor requirements and acoustic correlates. (shrink)

Errata slip has subtitle: Untersuchungen zur Erkenntnistheorie und Metaphysik des jungen Herder (1763-1778).

1. Die Lehre vom Primat der praktischen Vernunft.

Wussten Sie, dass das Schreiben im Mittelalter auch eine körperliche Anstrengung war? Oder dass Frauen einen erheblichen Anteil an der Literaturförderung hatten? Die Beschäftigung mit der deutschsprachigen Literatur des Mittelalters bringt nicht nur die Begegnung mit Figuren wie König Artus, Parzival oder den Nibelungen. Sie öffnet auch den Blick auf einen spannenden Literaturbetrieb – zwischen Analphabetentum und lateinischer Schriftkultur, Mäzenatentum und fahrenden Sängern. Aus dem Inhalt: Diskussion von Epochengrenzen, Sprachstufen und Literaturbegriff; Hintergründe und Entstehungsbedingungen: Mündlichkeit und Schriftlichkeit, Geistlichkeit und Adel, (...) Autor und Publikum; Paläografie und Textkritik: Handschrift und Edition; Dichtung als Formkunst: Reim und Metrum; Literaturperioden im Überblick: Alt-, Mittel- und Frühneuhochdeutsch; Gattungen und Werke des Mittelhochdeutschen: Artusepik, Heldenepik, Grals- und Minneroman, Minnesang; vrouwe und ritter: Geschlechterkonzepte und Genderaspekte. (shrink)