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The attentional control of lexical processing pathways: reversing the word frequency effect
D A Balota1, M B Law, J D Zevin
1Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA. dbalota@artsci.wustl.edu
Memory & Cognition
|December 29, 2000
Summary
Word frequency impacts word pronunciation differently depending on the task. A reversed word frequency effect was observed in a novel pronunciation task, unlike standard word naming.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psycholinguistics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Word frequency is a known factor influencing word processing speed.
- Lexical processing models often incorporate attentional control mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of word frequency on word pronunciation in two distinct tasks: standard speeded naming and a novel regularization task.
- To examine how attentional control mechanisms might explain observed differences in word frequency effects.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted using high- and low-frequency regular words, exception words, and nonwords.
- Participants performed a speeded word naming task and a regularization task requiring pronunciation based on spelling-to-sound rules.
Main Results:
- A typical word frequency effect (faster for high-frequency words) was found in speeded naming.
- The regularization task showed a reversed word frequency effect for regular words, but not for exception words.
Conclusions:
- Word frequency effects are modulated by task demands, particularly in pronunciation.
- Findings suggest that attentional control plays a crucial role in lexical processing and pronunciation strategies.