Abstract
Words carry considerable information, but much of that information is not relevant in context. Research has shown that readers selectively activate and remember relevant information associated with words in different contexts, but it is not known when in processing this selection occurs. This experiment investigated whether context can change which properties are initially retrieved, using a speed-accuracy trade-off paradigm. Readers had to verify a property of a modifier-noun phrase (e.g., in the sentenceBoiled celery is soft) within a specified interval, from 300–3,000 msec after presentation. Results revealed that properties associated with the noun alone were activated sooner than were properties that required integration of the modifier with the noun. Thus, context did not serve to influence the initial retrieval of properties but only to activate or suppress properties later in processing.
Article PDF
References
Barclay, J. R., Bransford, J. D., Franks, J. J., McCarrell, N. S., &Nitsch, K. (1974). Comprehension and semantic flexibility.Journal of Verbal Learning & Verbal Behavior,13, 471–481.
Gagné, C. L., &Murphy, G. L. (1996). Influence of discourse context on feature availability in conceptual combination.Discourse Processes,22, 79–101.
Glucksberg, S., &Estes, Z. (2000). Feature accessibility in conceptual combination: Effects of context-induced relevance.Psychonomic Bulletin & Review,7, 510–515.
McElree, B., Foraker, S., &Dyer, L. (2003). Memory structures that subserve sentence comprehension.Journal of Memory & Language,48, 67–91.
McKoon, G., &Ratcliff, R. (1988). Contextually relevant aspects of meaning.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition,14, 331–343.
Murphy, G. L. (2002).The big book of concepts. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Potter, M. C., &Faulconer, B. A. (1979). Understanding noun phrases.Journal of Verbal Learning & Verbal Behavior,18, 509–521.
Springer, K., &Murphy, G. L. (1992). Feature availability in conceptual combination.Psychological Science,3, 111–117.
Swinney, D. A. (1979). Lexical access during sentence comprehension: (Re)consideration of context effects.Journal of Verbal Learning & Verbal Behavior,18, 645–659.
Tabossi, P. (1982). Sentential context and the interpretation of unambiguous words.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology,34A, 79–90.
Tabossi, P., &Johnson-Laird, P. N. (1980). Linguistic context and the priming of semantic information.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology,32, 595–603.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
The order of authorship is alphabetical. This research was supported by NSF Grant 0236732 (awarded to B.M.) and NIMH Grant MH41704 (awarded to G.L.M.).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MCelree, B., Murphy, G.L. & Ochoa, T. Time course of retrieving conceptual information: A speed-accuracy trade-off study. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 13, 848–853 (2006). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03194008
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03194008