Calling a squirrel a squirrel but a canoe a wigwam: a category-specific deficit for artefactual objects and body parts

Abstract

A single-case study is reported of a patient, CW, with a category-specific deficit for naming artefactual objects and body parts along with good naming of natural objects. Tests using matching rather than naming techniques further suggested that CW had some difficulty in distinguishing between close semantic co-ordinates of artefactual objects. The case provides a double dissociation relative to patients with selective problems in identifying natural objects. Possible reasons for CW's category-specific impairment are discussed.