About the project
The project "The role of attention in communication" (AttCom) explores the connection between attention (visual attention, executive attention, behavioral (in)attention symptoms) and pragmatic communication skills.
We test adults and children from a wide spectrum of attention and language profiles, including people with attention deficits, multilingual and monolingual speakers.
Importantly, the project is one of the first to explore the cognitive and communicative skills of multilingual speakers with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a scientifically largely unexplored group.
Methods
The project uses a combination of eye-tracking experiments, cognitive and linguistic tests, questionnaires, and interviews.
Work packages
- The role of executive attention during figurative language processing in adults with and without ADHD (methods: eye-tracking, linguistic and cognitive tests)
- ADHD and multilingualism in Norway (methods: questionnaires, interviews, registry data)
Outcome
A better understanding of the interplay between attention, multilingual language experience and pragmatic development could advance knowledge in several disciplines such as linguistics, psychology, and philosophy.
The project also aims to have a significant societal impact, contributing to increased awareness of multilingualism in the clinical setting.
