Examining Semantic Priming in a Delayed Naming Task

Abstract

Semantic priming refers to the finding that a word response is facilitated if it is preceded by a related word compared to when it is preceded by an unrelated word. Research has shown that semantic priming effects still occur under task conditions which would permit ample time for the completion of word recognition processes prior to response production. This study sought to examine the impact of a related prime-target context on word production. Participants completed an immediate word naming task and a delayed word naming task. There was a semantic priming effect for the immediate naming task. For the delayed naming task semantic priming was only evident at the 500 ms cue delay. This suggests a limited time frame in which a semantic context is able to facilitate word production.