Date of Award

4-2003

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Department

Speech Pathology and Audiology

First Advisor

Dr. Linda LeBlanc

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This study was designed to add to the body of research that examines the possibility of semantic activation or suppression deficits as underlying right hemisphere communication disorders. Modified treatment techniques for activation and suppression deficits proposed by Myers (1999) were used as stimuli for the experimental tasks. A total of four RHD participants and four control participants matched in age, gender, and level of education were included in the study. The study aimed to answer the following questions. Do RHD or control participants have higher scores on the suppression tasks? Do RHD participants have longer reaction times? Do RHD or control participants have higher scores on the activation tasks? Do the RHD participants have a reduced number of responses in the activation task? Do the RHD participants perform better on the suppression task than activation task? Do control participants perform equally well on suppression and activation tasks? The results were examined both between and within groups for RHD and control groups. Results suggested that there was no support for an activation or suppression deficit in the RHD participants. Reaction times were longer for the control participants, which is contrary to expectations. Also contrary to prior research, the RHD participants had responses on the activation task that were within more semantic categories than control participants.

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