Language is activated by visual input regardless of memory demands or capacity.

ABSTRACT: In the present study, we provide compelling evidence that viewing objects automatically activates linguistic labels and that this activation is not due to task-specific memory demands. In two experiments, eye-movements of English speakers were tracked while they identified a visual target among an array of four images, including a phonological competitor (e.g., flower-flag). Experiment 1 manipulated the capacity to subvocally rehearse the target label by imposing linguistic, spatial, or no working memory load. Experiment 2 manipulated the need to encode target objects by presenting target images either before or concurrently with the search display. While the timing and magnitude of competitor activation varied across conditions, we observed consistent evidence of language activation regar

SUBMITTER: Chabal S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8898262 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature