Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
08:32
Examining Online Syntactic Processing of Spoken Complex Sentences in Chinese Using Dual-Modal Interference Tasks
Published on: September 5, 2019
The Processing of Chinese Reflexives as Plain Anaphors and Intensifiers
1School of Chinese as a Second Language, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Rd., Haidian District, Beijing, 100871, China. junlyu@pku.edu.cn.
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research
|August 12, 2026
Summary
This study examined Chinese reflexives "ziji" and "ta-ziji." Both showed locality biases in anaphoric contexts, but processing shifted in intensifier contexts, revealing interactions between syntax and discourse in language comprehension.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Psycholinguistics
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Chinese reflexives like 'ziji' and 'ta-ziji' have distinct syntactic and interpretive properties.
- Understanding reflexive processing is key to unraveling language comprehension mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the online processing of two Chinese reflexives, 'ziji' and 'ta-ziji'.
- To examine how structural contexts influence the interpretation and processing of these reflexives.
- To explore the interaction between discourse and syntactic constraints in reflexive resolution.
Main Methods:
- Two self-paced reading experiments were conducted.
- Behavioral data (reading times) and post-reading acceptability judgments were collected.
- Analysis focused on interpretive patterns in different structural contexts.
Main Results:
- Both 'ziji' and 'ta-ziji' exhibited locality biases in contexts favoring plain anaphor readings.
- Processing patterns diverged in contexts requiring intensifier readings.
- Evidence suggests distinct processing profiles for the two reflexives.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight differential processing of Chinese reflexives based on interpretive context.
- Discourse and syntactic factors interact dynamically during online reflexive resolution.
- This research offers insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying anaphora resolution.
More Related Videos
05:22Dissociation of the Confounding Influences of Expectancy and Integrative Difficulty Residing in Anomalous Sentences in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: May 9, 2019
09:27Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language
Published on: October 13, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:28Automatic Processing and Automatic Social Behavior
Automatic processing refers to the cognitive operations that occur without conscious intent or awareness, playing a fundamental role in shaping social cognition and behavior. These processes enable individuals to navigate complex social environments efficiently by relying on mental shortcuts and pre-existing knowledge structures known as schemas. One of the most influential mechanisms underlying automatic processing is priming, which subtly activates mental representations through exposure to...
01:08Reflex Activity
A reflex activity is an automatic, involuntary response to specific stimuli. It is a part of our survival mechanism, designed to protect us from potential harm. For example, when a bright light suddenly shines into our eyes, we instinctively close them or look away. This is a simple reflex activity orchestrated by the nervous system without conscious thought or effort.
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...
01:20Labeling Emotion
Emotional labeling is a cognitive process that involves identifying and naming one's emotions, such as anger, fear, happiness, or sadness. It allows individuals to recognize and express their internal emotional states, a critical aspect of emotional regulation and communication. Labeling emotions requires more than mere recognition; it also involves drawing upon memory and contextual cues to understand the current situation and apply a corresponding emotional label. For instance, feeling...
01:29Introspection
Introspection, long upheld as a reliable route to self-knowledge, involves examining one's thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. It underpins many psychological practices, from mindfulness meditation to psychotherapy and self-help strategies. However, empirical evidence challenges the accuracy of introspection as a means of understanding oneself.Limitations of Introspective InsightSeminal work by Nisbett and Wilson demonstrated that individuals are frequently unaware of the true causes...
03:26Framing Effects
Information is everywhere and its presentation—such as how and when items are presented—can impact our perceptions and decisions surrounding the info. This broad concept umbrellas framing effects—influences that occur due to the way information is framed in its appearance, whether it’s purely the order or the specific wording of a message. Let’s take a look at numerous ways in which two versions of something can objectively say the same thing, yet we respond in different ways based on the...
01:24Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role of...