Long-term semantic transfer: An overlapping-operations account

Abstract

Semantic priming is usually a short-lived effect. However, it is also usually investigated using undemanding tasks, such as naming or lexical decision. We instead required subjects to perform category verification. We observed semantically mediated transfer occurring at an average lag of 90 intervening trials. We also observed that this priming was specific to the stimulus properties made salient in prime and probe displays and the particular task demanded in those displays. We interpret the results within an overlapping-operations framework, based on the work of Kolers (e.g., 1976).

Availability of related long-term memory during and after attention focus in working memory

“…Memory for such operations has been shown to be category specific but general to different exemplars of a category (Hughes & Whittlesea, 2003). It has also been shown to account for the majority of priming effects and to be relatively persistent (Hughes & Whittlesea, 2003;Woltz, 1996). In our view, viable explanations of ALTM must include some mechanism for the influence of repeated mental operations, although in most cases, this is likely to be combined with persistent conceptual repetition priming of stimulus content.…”

“…Although semantic priming effects have traditionally been thought to last only a few seconds at most, there is recent evidence that such priming can be more persistent (Becker, Moscovitch, Behrmann, & Joordens, 1997;Hughes & Whittlesea, 2003;. The demonstrations of persistent semantic priming have depended on more complex priming operations and, sometimes, multiple priming events.…”

“…In this case, memory for category membership identification processes performed in the initial phase of each trial is assumed to facilitate any subsequent comparison trial that requires the same or a similar operation. Memory for such operations has been shown to be category specific but general to different exemplars of a category (Hughes & Whittlesea, 2003). It has also been shown to account for the majority of priming effects and to be relatively persistent (Hughes & Whittlesea, 2003;Woltz, 1996).…”

“…Second, on the basis of evidence from previous conceptual and semantic priming research, we assume that a substantial amount of the observed priming effects are attributable to memory for operations performed on stimulus content, rather than to memory for the stimulus content per se (Hughes & Whittlesea, 2003;Woltz, 1996). In this case, memory for category membership identification processes performed in the initial phase of each trial is assumed to facilitate any subsequent comparison trial that requires the same or a similar operation.…”

“…This account partially corresponds to the skilled memory retrieval mechanism posited by Ericsson and Kintsch (1995) in their theory of long-term WM. It also corresponds to memory-for-operations accounts of long-term conceptual and semantic priming (Hughes & Whittlesea, 2003;Woltz, 1996).…”