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Published on: April 12, 2018
Automatic access of semantic information by phonological codes in visual word recognition
1Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003.
Summary
Phonological processing aids visual word recognition. Homophone primes facilitated word naming, especially with brief exposure, supporting models where sound information is automatically accessed during reading.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psycholinguistics
- Reading Research
Background:
- The role of phonology in visual word recognition is a key area in reading research.
- Understanding how sound-based information influences word processing is crucial for reading models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of phonological information, specifically homophones, on visual word recognition.
- To examine how exposure duration affects phonological priming effects in word naming.
- To test the predictions of Van Orden's verification model regarding phonological activation.
Main Methods:
- Participants performed a word naming task.
- Target words were primed by homophones of semantic associates (e.g., beach priming nut) or visually similar controls (e.g., bench priming nut).
- Prime words were presented at two exposure durations (50 ms and 200 ms) followed by a pattern mask.
Main Results:
- Homophone priming (e.g., beach) facilitated target word naming (e.g., nut) more than visual controls (e.g., bench).
- This homophone priming effect was significant only at the shorter exposure duration (50 ms).
- An 'appropriate' prime (e.g., beech) facilitated naming at both exposure durations.
Conclusions:
- The findings support models where phonological information is automatically accessed during visual word recognition.
- The results suggest that the influence of phonological priming is modulated by prime exposure duration.
- Data align with Van Orden's verification model, emphasizing the role of phonological access in meaning retrieval.
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