Estimating Rate of Decay of Activation in Semantic Memory Using a Speed-AccuracyMethodology

摘要

The purpose of this experiment was to determine of a speed-accuracy methodologymight help us better understand repetition priming in a semantic comparison task. Recruits (N=221) first attempted 224 semantic comparison trials in a self-paced condition. They were then administered several reference tests. They then attempted another 40 self-paced trials and 408 fixed-exposure trials, half of which were repeats of trials seen one hour earlier. Priming effects were estimated by subtracting means in the self-paced condition and by fitting two exponential curves to data from the fixed-exposure condition. Results generally supported McClelland's (1979) prediction that priming would raise asymptotic levels of accuracy for primed stimuli. The only exception observed was for subjects with high scores on two general knowledge tests. For these subjects, repetition priming affected the rate of processing stimuli rather than asymptotic accuracy.(Author)