N400-effects to task-irrelevant environmental sounds: further evidence for obligatory conceptual processing.
We assessed conceptual priming for environmental sounds in two tasks using pairs of a visually presented word (prime) and an environmental sound (probe). In the physical task, participants indicated to which ear the sound was presented. In the semantic task, participants judged whether a word labeled a sound correctly. The physical always preceded the semantic task to exclude semantic carry-over effects. In both tasks prime word color indicated whether a response was required (Go/NoGo-trials). An N400-effect for unrelated vs. related sounds was observed in all four conditions resulting from the combination of both tasks with response requirement. However, the N400-effect was reduced in the physical task and in NoGo-trials. Hence, meaning of environmental sounds may be processed obligatorily. Both automatic and controlled processes mediate the analysis of sound meaning.
Orgs
Guido
G
Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstr. 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. orgs@uni-duesseldorf.de
Lange
Kathrin
K
Dombrowski
Jan-Henryk
JH
Heil
Martin
M
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004777:Environment; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D013016:Sound