Lexical determinants of semantic processing speed

Abstract

A relatively neglected level of lexical processing is semantics. We discuss why this might be and consider the current understanding of the influence of lexicosemantic measures on semantic processing. Two experiments examined the roles of lexicosemantic variables, including age of acquisition and word frequency, in semantic processing in young adults; both experiments required participants to identify named objects as “living” or “nonliving”. Age of acquisition was a significant predictor in both experiments, though just for living items. Frequency was significant only for nonliving items in Experiment 2. We discuss whether differences in classification between living and nonliving items may reflect underlying lexical differences.

This research was supported in part by a Nuffield Foundation undergraduate research bursary.

This research was supported in part by a Nuffield Foundation undergraduate research bursary.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Tom Fowler and Geoff Duggan for help with data collection, and Jacky Boivin and Marc Brysbaert for helpful suggestions in regard to data analysis and interpretation.

Notes

This research was supported in part by a Nuffield Foundation undergraduate research bursary.