Cited by 251Neurobiology of Language and BilingualismAction Observation and SynchronizationPhonetics and Phonology Research

A little more conversation, a little less action — candidate roles for the motor cortex in speech perception

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Scott, Sophie K., McGettigan, Carolyn, Eisner, Frank·2009·Nature Reviews Neuroscience

Abstract

The motor theory of speech perception assumes that activation of the motor system is essential in the perception of speech. However, deficits in speech perception and comprehension do not arise from damage that is restricted to the motor cortex, few functional imaging studies reveal activity in the motor cortex during speech perception, and the motor cortex is strongly activated by many different sound categories. Here, we evaluate alternative roles for the motor cortex in spoken communication and suggest a specific role in sensorimotor processing in conversation. We argue that motor cortex activation is essential in joint speech, particularly for the timing of turn taking.

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  • The kind of system-level theoretical approach required in research on the functions of MNs is exemplified by studies of their role in speech perception.

    “The kind of system-level theoretical approach required in research on the functions of MNs is exemplified by studies of their role in speech perception”

    From Mirror neurons: from origin to function (2014) · cites this paper as Scott, McGettigan, & Eisner, 2009

    The Introduction describes a theoretical evaluation of motor-cortex involvement in speech perception, and the Conclusions consider alternative roles for motor activity in spoken communication. This supports the paper as an example of a broader theoretical approach, but our copy addresses motor cortex rather than directly studying the role of mirror neurons (MNs) in speech perception. Page numbers are not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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2 of the 109 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [61]Miller GA Review of Greenberg J. L. (ed) Universals of Language Contemporary Psychology 1963 8 417 18
  2. [79]Schienberg S Holland AL Brookshire RH Conversational turn-taking in Wernicke’s aphasia Clinical Aphasiology: Conference Proceedings 1980 106 110 BRK Publishers Minneapolis, MN

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Authors
Scott, S. K., McGettigan, C., & Eisner, F.
Affiliations
University College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Scott, Sophie K.
Venue
Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Published
2009-03-11
Volume
10
Issue
4
Pages
295-302
ISSN
  • 1471-003X (ISSN-L)
  • 1471-0048
OpenAlex
W2293220026
Cited by
251
References
109
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 25
FWCI
1.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Wellcome Trust (090961, WT074414MA, 074414)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Phonetics and Phonology Research
Keywords
motor cortex, speech perception, motor theory of speech perception, sensorimotor processing, conversation, turn-taking, speech understanding, audio classification
MeSH terms
Brain Mapping, Communication, Motor Cortex, Nerve Net, Speech, Speech Perception

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