Conceptual priming for environmental sounds and words: an ERP study

Brain Cogn. 2006 Dec;62(3):267-72. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2006.05.003. Epub 2006 Jun 21.

Abstract

In this study we examined conceptual priming using environmental sounds and visually displayed words. Priming for sounds and words was observed in response latency as well as in event-related potentials. Reactions were faster when a related word followed an environmental sound and vice versa. Moreover both stimulus types produced an N400-effect for unrelated compared to related trials. The N400-effect had an earlier onset for environmental sounds than for words. The results support the theoretical notion that conceptual processing may be similar for verbal and non-verbal stimuli.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adult
  • Auditory Perception / physiology
  • Concept Formation / physiology*
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Semantics*
  • Set, Psychology*
  • Speech Perception / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology