Retrieval of concepts in script-based texts and narratives: the influence of general world knowledge

The goal of the present experiments was to examine the accessibility of concepts embedded within text. J. A. Albrecht and E. J. O'Brien (1991) found that with narrative texts central concepts are more quickly retrieved than peripheral concepts. In contrast, F. R. Yekovich and C. H. Walker (1986) found that when concepts are embedded within scripts, peripheral concepts are more quickly retrieved than central concepts. Over 13 experiments, central concepts were generally more quickly accessed than peripheral concepts. The only exception occurs when (a) script-based texts are used, (b) the number of mentions or elaboration of central and peripheral concepts is held constant, and (c) the measure of centrality is theme relatedness rather than degree of interconnectedness. Under those conditions, central concepts are more difficult to access than peripheral concepts.