title: Interaction between phonological and semantic representations: time matters.
abstract: Computational modeling and eye-tracking were used to investigate how phonological and semantic information interact to influence the time course of spoken word recognition. We extended our recent models (Chen & Mirman, 2012; Mirman, Britt, & Chen, 2013) to account for new evidence that competition among phonological neighbors influences activation of semantically related concepts during spoken word recognition (Apfelbaum, Blumstein, & McMurray, 2011). The model made a novel prediction: Semantic input modulates the effect of phonological neighbors on target word processing, producing an approximately inverted-U-shaped pattern with a high phonological density advantage at an intermediate level of semantic input-in contrast to the typical disadvantage for high phonological density words in spoken word recognition. This prediction was confirmed with a new analysis of the Apfelbaum et al. data and in a visual world paradigm experiment with preview duration serving as a manipulation of strength of semantic input. These results are consistent with our previous claim that strongly active neighbors produce net inhibitory effects and weakly active neighbors produce net facilitative effects.
authors.affiliation: Center for Studies of Psychological Application and School of Psychology, South China Normal University; Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute.
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mirman
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D053483:Eye Movement Measurements; D006801:Humans; D046709:Pattern Recognition, Physiological; D010700:Phonetics; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012660:Semantics; D013067:Speech Perception
keywords: Interactive activation and competition; Lexical processing; Neighborhood effects