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Masked primes can be genuinely semantically processed: a picture prime study
Eva Van den Bussche1, Karolien Notebaert, Bert Reynvoet
1Department of Psychology, University of Leuven, Belgium. Eva.Vandenbussche@kuleuven-kortrijk.be
Experimental Psychology
|May 19, 2009
Summary
Subliminal primes can be processed semantically, especially with pictures and large target sets. Nonsemantic processing, however, can eliminate these semantic priming effects.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroscience
- Subliminal perception
Background:
- Previous research suggested semantic processing of subliminal primes.
- Potential confounds like orthographic overlap were noted.
- Need to validate semantic processing while controlling nonsemantic influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm semantic processing of subliminal primes by eliminating nonsemantic confounds.
- To investigate how nonsemantic stimulus processing affects priming.
- To explore the role of target set size in semantic vs. nonsemantic processing.
Main Methods:
- Used picture primes and word targets to minimize orthographic overlap.
- Manipulated target set size to influence processing type.
- Compared priming effects under conditions designed to isolate semantic processing.
Main Results:
- Significant semantic priming observed for large categories with picture primes and large target sets.
- Priming disappeared when a limited target set encouraged nonsemantic processing.
- Results indicate that task context dictates semantic or nonsemantic processing.
Conclusions:
- Subliminal primes can be genuinely semantically processed.
- Nonsemantic influences can override semantic processing.
- Task context and stimulus modality are critical determinants of subliminal processing outcomes.
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