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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology

Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology

Published on: June 29, 2021

Is there semantic interference in delayed naming?

Andreas Mädebach¹, Frank Oppermann, Ansgar Hantsch

¹Department of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Seeburgstrasse 14-20, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany. maedebach@uni-leipzig.de

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition

|February 9, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study challenges previous findings on semantic interference in speech production. Researchers found no semantic interference in a task-switching version, questioning its reliability for understanding lexical competition.

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Psycholinguistics
Neuroscience

Background:

The semantic interference effect in picture-word tasks is a key indicator of lexical competition in speech production models.
Janssen et al. (2008) proposed a task-switching paradigm to challenge the lexical competition account, reporting semantic interference even in delayed naming.

Purpose of the Study:

To re-evaluate the semantic interference effect using a task-switching paradigm.
To investigate the reliability of Janssen et al.'s (2008) findings and their implications for speech production models.

Main Methods:

Conducted experiments in German and English using both standard picture-word interference and a task-switching version.
Manipulated stimulus onset asynchrony (immediate vs. delayed naming) and trial types (word reading vs. no-go trials).

Main Results:

Significant semantic interference effects were observed in the standard picture-word interference task.
No semantic interference effects were found in the task-switching version, even with modifications like no-go trials.
Semantic interference reappeared in immediate naming but remained absent in delayed naming within the modified task-switching version.

Conclusions:

The reliability of Janssen et al.'s (2008) critical findings is questioned.
Drawing theoretical conclusions about lexical competition from the task-switching version used by Janssen et al. is problematic.
The study suggests that the task-switching paradigm may not accurately reflect the processes underlying semantic interference in standard picture-word tasks.