Semantic context effects in language production: a swinging lexical network proposal and a review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Semantic context effects in language production

T2 - a swinging lexical network proposal and a review

AU - Rahman, Rasha Abdel

AU - Melinger, Alissa

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - The investigation of semantic context effects has served as a valuable tool in investigating mechanisms of language production. Classic semantic interference effects have provided influential support for and interest in a competitive lexical selection mechanism. However, recent interest in semantic facilitation effects has stimulated a discussion on whether context effects reflect competition during lexical selection. In this review we propose a framework of lexical selection by competition that is sensitive to the activation of lexical cohorts. We outline our proposal and then present a selective review of the empirical evidence, much of which has been central to the development of alternative non-competitive models. We suggest that by adopting the assumptions of our proposal we can parsimoniously account for a majority of the discussed semantic facilitation and interference effects.

AB - The investigation of semantic context effects has served as a valuable tool in investigating mechanisms of language production. Classic semantic interference effects have provided influential support for and interest in a competitive lexical selection mechanism. However, recent interest in semantic facilitation effects has stimulated a discussion on whether context effects reflect competition during lexical selection. In this review we propose a framework of lexical selection by competition that is sensitive to the activation of lexical cohorts. We outline our proposal and then present a selective review of the empirical evidence, much of which has been central to the development of alternative non-competitive models. We suggest that by adopting the assumptions of our proposal we can parsimoniously account for a majority of the discussed semantic facilitation and interference effects.

U2 - 10.1080/01690960802597250

DO - 10.1080/01690960802597250

M3 - Article

SN - 0169-0965

VL - 24

SP - 713

EP - 734

JO - Language and Cognitive Processes

JF - Language and Cognitive Processes

IS - 5

ER -