That dreaded word perseveration! understanding might be the key

This paper explores the various theories regarding the cause of recurrent perseverations, common and problematic errors produced by people with aphasia. Earlier research suggested that recurrent perseverative errors occur when lingering activation from prior responses interferes with activation of new responses. In contrast, the more recent perspective is that the perseveration of previously activated words or sounds occurs when activation of a new response is abnormally weakened, due to the underlying language impairment. Based on this current thinking, directions for management of recurrent perseverative errors in the clinical setting are proposed.