LE3 .A278 2009

2009

Newman, Randy Lynn

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Psychology

Psychology

Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were used to examine phonology‟s role in activating word meanings when participants (N=18) decided if a stimulus was a member of a category (NATURAL/MANMADE). Low or high frequency (LF/HF) exemplars (e.g., toad) were replaced on some trials by pseudohomophones (e.g., tode) or spelling controls (e.g., tord). Behavioural results showed the expected pseudohomophone effect; however, ERPs suggested that participants relied on orthography insofar as the N400, a response associated with violations in meaning, was equivalent in amplitude for pseudohomophones and controls. Analysis of a later ERP, the P600, also provided evidence in favour of orthography. However, when the N400 was analyzed separately for the two frequency groups, a trend towards a phonological effect emerged for the LF group. Results suggest that skilled readers activate word meanings using orthography, but that reliance on orthography is not as efficient when reading LF words, perhaps necessitating phonological activation

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:590