The nature of prolonged word search.
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.
Goodglass
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H
Boston VA Medical Center.
Wingfield
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A
Wayland
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SC
D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall; D010700:Phonetics; D011930:Reaction Time; D012660:Semantics; D014706:Verbal Learning; D014825:Vocabulary