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Semin Speech Lang 2021; 42(03): 240-255
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1727251
Review Article

Understanding Speed–Accuracy Processing Dynamics in Aphasia Using Response Time Modeling

William S. Evans 
1   Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Yina M. Quique
2   Center for Education in Health, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
› Author Affiliations Funding Research in this article was funded by the National Institute of Health (NIDCD-F31DC013489, awarded to W.E.), the Boston University Dudley Allen Sargent Research Fund, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, the VA Healthcare Network—VISN 4 Competitive Career Development Fund, and the VA RR&D service (IK1 RX002475), with funds awarded to W.E.
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Abstract

People with aphasia demonstrate language impairments evident in both performance accuracy and processing speed, but the direct relationship between accuracy and speed requires further consideration. This article describes two recent attempts to make quantitative progress in this domain using response time modeling: the diffusion model (Ratcliff, 1978) applied to two-choice tasks and a multinomial ex-Gaussian model applied to picture naming. The diffusion model may be used to characterize core linguistic processing efficiency and speed–accuracy tradeoffs independently, and research suggests that maladaptive speed–accuracy tradeoffs lead to performance impairments in at least some people with aphasia. The multinomial ex-Gaussian response time model of picture naming provides a simple and straightforward way to estimate the optimal response time cutoffs for individual people with aphasia (i.e., the cutoff where additional time is unlikely to lead to a correct response). While response time modeling applied to aphasia research is at an early stage of development, both the diffusion model and multinomial ex-Gaussian response time model of picture naming show promise and should be further developed in future work. This article also provides preliminary recommendations for clinicians regarding how to conceptualize, identify, and potentially address maladaptive speed–accuracy tradeoffs for people with aphasia.

Keywords

speed–accuracy tradeoff - response time modeling - aphasia - anomia


Publication History

Article published online:
14 July 2021

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