title: Lexical integration of novel words without sleep.
abstract: Learning a new word involves integration with existing lexical knowledge. Previous work has shown that sleep-associated memory consolidation processes are important for the engagement of novel items in lexical competition. In 3 experiments we used spaced exposure regimes to investigate memory for novel words and whether lexical integration can occur within a single day. The degree to which a new spoken word (e.g., cathedruke) engaged in lexical competition with established phonological neighbors (e.g., cathedral) was employed as a marker for lexical integration. We found evidence for improvements in recognition and cued recall following a time period including sleep, but we also found lexical competition effects emerging within a single day. Spaced exposure to novel words on its own did not bring about this within-day lexical competition effect (Experiment 2), which instead occurred with either spaced or massed exposure to novel words, provided that there was also spaced exposure to the phonological neighbors (Experiments 1 and 3). Although previous studies have indicated that sleep-dependent memory consolidation may be sufficient for lexical integration, our results show it is not a necessary precondition.
authors: School of Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, United Kingdom. shane.lindsay@gmail.com
authors: Shane
authors: S
authors: Lindsay
authors: M Gareth
authors: MG
authors: Gaskell
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003463:Cues; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008037:Linguistics; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D010700:Phonetics; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D012660:Semantics; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology*