Performance on a semantic verbal fluency task across time: dissociation between clustering, switching, and...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Linguistics

Background:

• Semantic fluency tasks assess word retrieval abilities.
• Understanding retrieval processes over time is crucial for cognitive research.
• Distinguishing executive and semantic components aids in cognitive function analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate semantic retrieval processes and errors during a semantic fluency task.
• To differentiate between executive and semantic components of retrieval.
• To analyze changes in retrieval strategies over a short time interval.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the "supermarket" semantic fluency task with 50 healthy participants.
• Analyzed word productions before and after a 30-second interval.
• Quantified metrics such as word output, clustering, switching, repetitions, and intrusions.

Main Results:

• A decrease in the number of words produced and hard switching was observed over time.
• Clustering, number of exemplars, and repetitions showed an increase.
• Cluster switching and the number of intrusions remained constant across the interval.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest a progressive involvement of semantic cognitive strategies during retrieval.
• The study highlights dynamic changes in retrieval processes within a short timeframe.
• Results contribute to understanding the interplay between executive control and semantic memory.