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The processing of non-target words: semantic or not?
D E Broadbent1, S E Gathercole
1University of Oxford, U.K.
Summary
The meaning of non-target words influences visual word recognition, especially when targets appear early. This effect is more pronounced with familiar words and smaller spatial separations, supporting a priming-based perception model.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Visual Perception
Background:
- Meaning of non-target words can affect responses to visual targets.
- Treisman's perception model suggests target analysis can prime related words.
- Automatic full analysis theories predict meaning is always computed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how non-target word meaning influences target word recognition.
- To test predictions derived from Treisman's perception model versus automatic analysis theories.
- To examine the roles of target arrival time, spatial separation, and word familiarity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Shaffer and LaBerge paradigm across five experiments.
- Manipulated target and non-target word presentation timing and spatial separation.
- Employed sets of familiar, repeated words and words used only once.
Main Results:
- Non-target word meaning significantly affected target word responses.
- The influence of non-target meaning was greater when the target appeared earlier.
- Effects were modulated by spatial separation and word familiarity (stronger for familiar, repeated words).
Conclusions:
- Findings support Treisman's model of perception, emphasizing priming effects.
- Results are less consistent with theories of universal and automatic full analysis.
- Perceptual processing of non-target words is influenced by contextual factors and familiarity.