Semantic Priming

'Semantic priming is an important phenomenon of cognition and has engendered a huge research literature, a literature that is confusing, conflicting, and defiant of easy classification even to the expert. McNamara’s new book is a welcome addition to the field that clarifies and enlightens.' - Richard M. Schiffrin, Indiana University'This is an outstanding book that provides a much-needed roadmap for both researchers and students into the specific details and broader implications of semantic priming research. The treatment of alternative theories is unparalleled in its sophistication, and the coverage of methodological issues offers invaluable guidance to those entering the field. McNamara has done a masterful job of distilling a rich, multifaceted domain into its core issues, findings and perspectives. The result is like a fine espresso – strong, balanced, and no serious work should be attempted without it.' - David Plaut, Carnegie Mellon University

• Part 1: Introduction. What Is Semantic Priming and Why Should Anyone Care? Part 2: Models. Spreading Activation Models. Becker's Verification Model. Compound-cue Models. Distributed Network Models. The Interactive-activation Model. Other Models. Part 3: Major Issues and Findings.Baselines. Automatic Versus Strategic Priming. Associative Versus 'Pure' Semantic Priming. Mediated Versus Direct Priming. Effects of Lag. Forward Versus Backward Priming. Subliminal Priming. Prime-task Effect. List Context Effects. Word Frequency, Stimulus Quality, and Relatedness Proportion. Semantic Priming and N400. Part 4: Summary and Conclusions. What We Have Learned about Semantic Priming