Performance on a semantic verbal fluency task across time: dissociation between clustering, switching, and categorical exploitation processes.
The aims of this study were to investigate semantic retrieval processes and errors across time during a semantic fluency task and to specify their components (i.e., executive vs. semantic). To do so, we analyzed the productions of 50 healthy participants (using the "supermarket" fluency task). The scores were compared before and after a 30-s interval. Across time, the results showed a decrease in the number of words produced and hard switching. Cluster switching and the number of intrusions remained constant, while clustering, and both the number of exemplars and repetitions increased. These results are discussed in terms of a progressive involvement of a semantic cognitive strategy of retrieval.
Raboutet
Catriona
C
Laboratoire Cognition et Facteurs Humains, Universite Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France. raboutet@idc.u-bordeaux2.fr
Sauzeon
Helene
H
Corsini
Marc-Michel
MM
Rodrigues
Jerome
J
Langevin
Sabine
S
N'kaoua
Bernard
B
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012660:Semantics; D013997:Time Factors; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014825:Vocabulary