How word frequency modulates masked repetition priming: an ERP investigation.
The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to provide precise temporal information about the modulation of masked repetition priming effects × word frequency during the course of target word recognition. Contrary to the pattern seen with behavioral response times in prior research, we predicted that high-frequency words should generate larger and earlier peaking repetition priming effects than low-frequency words in the N400 time window. This prediction was supported by the results of two experiments. Furthermore, repetition priming effects in the N250 time window were found for low-frequency words in both experiments, whereas for high-frequency words these effects were seen only at the shorter (50 ms stimulus onset asynchrony [SOA]) used in Experiment 2, and not in Experiment 1 (70 ms SOA). We explain this pattern as resulting from reset mechanisms operating on the form representations activated by prime stimuli when primes and targets are processed as separate perceptual events.
Laboratoire de Psychologie Cognitive, Aix-Marseille University & Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-CNRS, Marseille, France. jonathan.grainger@univ-provence.fr
Jonathan
J
Grainger
Danielle
D
Lopez
Marianna
M
Eddy
Stéphane
S
Dufau
Phillip J
PJ
Holcomb
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010470:Perceptual Masking / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D011932:Reading; D060865:Repetition Priming / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult