1. DGIST Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences Hyeon-Ae Jeon
Hierarchical processing in the brain
: The role of automaticity
DGIST
Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences
Hyeon-Ae Jeon 1

2. Definition of hierarchical processing
Superordinate levels, operating over longer time scales, modulate subordinate processing (Broadbent, 1977; Newell, 1990).
Mathematics
Action
Music
Language 2

3. Why is hierarchical processing important?
“The human architecture is built up of a hierarchy of multiple system levels and it cannot be otherwise structured.”
(Allen Newell, 1994, Unified Theories of Cognition, p. 117).
Human cognitive architecture is generally known as a complex system composed of substructures as in hierarchical processing. 3

4. Research questions Functional Connectivity Localization Structural
The role of automaticity in hierarchical processing in language (first & second) and non-language
Psycho-physiological interactions in hierarchical processing
White matter tracks depending on the levels of automaticity in hierarchical processing 4

5. New approach to the hierarchical process
Controlled Process
Controlled Process
Automatic Process
Second language
Non-language (a visual sequence process)
First language
Low
Medium
High
Low
Medium
High
High
Language vs. Non-Language
Controlled vs. Automatic 5

6. Posterior to anterior system for the controlled process
Levels of Hierarchy
Low
High
P<0.05
Posterior
Anterior
Low, L2
Medium, L2
Medium, NL
High, L2
High, NL
L2 (2nd language )
NL (Non-language)
P<0.001
Gradient pattern (posterior to anterior) depending on the levels of hierarchy
Jeon & Friederici, 2013 6

7. Hierarchical process & Degree of Automaticity
Cognitive Control
Hierarchical process & Degree of Automaticity
Controlled Process
Controlled Process
Automatic Process
Second language
Non-language (a visual sequence process)
First language
Low
Medium
High
Low
Medium
High
High
Controlled vs. Automatic
Language vs. Non-Language
→ Gradient pattern (posterior to anterior) depending on the levels of hierarchy 7

8. Posterior confined system for the automatic process
High Low
Posterior region for the automatic process
(L1)
(NL)
(L2)
Anterior region for the controlled process
High Low
High Low
Jeon & Friederici, 2015 8

9. Controlled Hierarchy Automatic Hierarchy
Posterior to anterior gradient system as the level of hierarchy becomes higher
Posterior confined system for automatic hierarchical processing
Jeon & Friederici, 2015 9

10. Research questions Functional Connectivity Localization Structural
The important role of automaticity in hierarchical processing
Psycho-physiological interactions in the hierarchical process in mathematics
Hierarchy 10

11. Mathematical hierarchy within the prefrotal cortex
Mathematician with high automaticity
Precentral Gyrus (posterior)
Non-mathematician with low automaticity
Pars Triangularis (anterior)
Jeon & Friederici, 2016 11

12. Functional connectivity in mathematical hierarchy
Precentral gyrus
Superior parietal lobe
Connectivity strength
r= 0.469*
Math Scores
Precentral gyrus
Low
High
Seed regions L R
Math Scores
r= *
Connectivity strength
Math Scores
r= *
Connectivity strength
Low
High
Low
High
Putamen
Caudate nucleus
(*P < 0.05)
Jeon & Friederici, 2016 12

13. Research questions Functional Connectivity Localization Structural
The important role of automaticity in hierarchical processing
Different functional connections depending on the levels of mathematical competence
White matter tracks depending on the levels of automaticity 13

14. L1 hierarchical processing
Positive correlation between mathematical automaticity and number of streamlines along the arcuate fasciculus
L1 hierarchical processing
The level of automaticity of hierarchical structures in mathematics is reflected even in the structural connectivity.

15. Research questions Functional Connectivity Localization Structural
The importance of automaticity in hierarchical processing
(Posterior to anterior vs. posterior confined)
Different functional connections depending on the levels of mathematical competence
Automaticity is reflected by the structural connectivity. 15

16. Future directions
in other domains
Hierarchies
Changes
With learning
Regional
interactions
Changes from the anterior to posterior region with learning
Hierarchical processing in other domains: actions or music
Functional connectivity using resting state fMRI 16

17. jeonha@dgist.ac.kr cogneuro.dgist.ac.kr
Thank you.
cogneuro.dgist.ac.kr