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The hemispheric lateralization for processing geometric word/shape combinations: the Stroop-shape effect
Vicki S Gier1, David S Kreiner, Robert L Solso
1Department of Arts and Sciences, University of Mississippi-Meridian 39307, USA. vgier@meridian.msstate.edu
Abstract:
The authors conducted 4 experiments to test whether hemispheric lateralization occurs for the processing of geometric word-shape combinations. In 3 experiments, participants responded to geometric shapes combined with geometric words (square, circle, triangle). In the 4th experiment, stimuli were combinations of geometric shapes and non-geometric words. The authors predicted that it would take longer to respond in incongruent conditions (e.g., the word "square" combined with the shape of a circle) than in congruent conditions. The authors found the strongest incongruency effects for the dominant hemisphere--that is, the left hemisphere for responding to words and the right hemisphere for responding to shapes. A Shape Interfering Properties hypothesis (SIP) is a possible explanation for these results.
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Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...

