Face (and nose) priming for book: the malleability of semantic memory.
There are two general classes of models of semantic structure that support semantic priming effects. Feature-overlap models of semantic priming assume that shared features between primes and targets are critical (e.g., cat-DOG). Associative accounts assume that contextual co-occurrence is critical and that the system is organized along associations independent of featural overlap (e.g., leash-DOG). If unrelated concepts can become related as a result of contextual co-occurrence, this would be more supportive of associative accounts and provide insight into the nature of the network underlying "semantic" priming effects. Naturally co-occurring recent associations (e.g., face-BOOK) were tested under conditions that minimize strategic influences (i.e., short stimulus onset asynchrony and low relatedness proportion) in a semantic priming paradigm. Priming for new associations did not differ from the priming found for pre-existing relations (e.g., library-BOOK). Mediated priming (e.g., nose-BOOK) was also found. These results suggest that contextual associations can result in the reorganization of the network that subserves "semantic" priming effects.
Coane
Jennifer H
JH
Department of Psychology, Colby College, Waterville, ME 04901, USA. jhcoane@colby.edu
Balota
David A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012660:Semantics