Relationship between Auditory Comprehension and Word Frequency in Aphasia

Abstract

Forty-seven male and 1 female aphasics in the Neurology Service, Minneapolis Vet. Admin. Hosp. were given the Ammons Full Range Picture Vocabulary Test, Form A, and the frequency of 83 of the 85 test words was plotted in connection with expected Thorndike-Lorge frequency. Total errors on each of the 83 words and errors made on each quartile of the initial distribution were analyzed. Significant gains were made between initial and final testing. Relative frequency of word use was an important factor in the ability of aphasic subjects to comprehend. Gains made during recovery were related to original performance and word frequency.