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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
08:17
A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential (ERP) Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 12, 2018
Methodological considerations in performing semantic- and translation-priming experiments across languages
Jeanette Altarriba1, Dana M Basnight-Brown
1Department of Psychology, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, New York 12222, USA. ja087@albany.edu
Behavior Research Methods
|June 8, 2007
Summary
Investigating bilingual memory through cross-language word priming reveals methodological issues. Future research on bilingualism needs to carefully consider factors like language proficiency and stimulus presentation.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psycholinguistics
- Neuroscience of Language
Background:
- Bilingualism research primarily focuses on memory structures and functions in multilingual individuals.
- Cross-language word priming, using lexical decision and pronunciation tasks, is a key method for studying bilingual memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the methodology used in bilingual memory research, specifically cross-language word priming.
- To identify factors that complicate interpretations of previous findings on bilingual memory.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on cross-language word priming in bilingual speakers.
- Analysis of methodological parameters including language proficiency, cognate status, masking, and stimulus presentation timing.
Main Results:
- Previous conclusions about asymmetrical priming (dominant to subordinate language) are questionable due to methodological inconsistencies.
- Several critical parameters (e.g., language proficiency, stimulus onset asynchrony, word frequency) significantly impact priming effects.
Conclusions:
- Existing research on bilingual memory and cross-language priming suffers from significant methodological limitations.
- Recommendations are provided for improving future empirical research designs in the field of bilingualism and memory.
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