title: The nature of prolonged word search.
abstract: Two alternative hypotheses were considered concerning the process of prolonged search for an uncommon word in response to hearing its definition. One alternative is that a conscious retrieval effort brings the target progressively closer to threshold. The second is that the retrieval process is a random neural exploration outside of conscious control. A tachistoscopic probe was devised to compare word recognition thresholds after 10 sec versus 30 sec of presumed search time. Results failed to show a difference between the two delay conditions and were interpreted as inconsistent with the first alternative but consistent with the second.
authors.affiliation: Boston VA Medical Center.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goodglass
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wingfield
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wayland
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D010700:Phonetics; D011930:Reaction Time; D012660:Semantics; D014706:Verbal Learning; D014825:Vocabulary