Consolidation improves the learning of new meanings for known words but not necessarily their integration into semantic memory

Abstract

ABSTRACT Consolidation is essential to integrating novel words into the mental lexicon; however, its role in learning new meanings for known words remains unclear. This old-form-new-meaning learning is very common, as when one learns that “skate” is also a type of fish in addition to its familiar roller- or ice-skating meaning. To address consolidation effects for new meanings, we compared the behavioural and ERP measures on new and original meanings tested 24 h after learning with words tested immediately after learning. Semantic judgments of both new and original meanings benefitted from the study-test interval. However, N400 amplitudes on studied words – indicators of meaning access from semantic memory – were unaffected by learning or consolidation. These results suggest that while sleep benefits memory for new meanings, the new meanings do not become integrated into the mental lexicon within that period. Instead, episodic retrieval remains functional in accessing new meanings even after 24 h.