Abstract
Semantic satiation is characterised by the subjective and temporary loss of meaning after high repetition of a prime word. To study the nature of this effect, previous electroencephalography (EEG) research recorded the N400, an ERP component that is sensitive to violations of semantic context. The N400 is characterised by a relative negativity to words that are unrelated vs. related to the semantic context. The semantic satiation hypothesis predicts that the N400 should decrease with high repetition. However, previous findings have been inconsistent. Because of these inconsistent findings and the shortcomings of previous research, we used a modified design that minimises confounding effects from non-semantic processes. We recorded 64-channel EEG and analysed the N400 in a semantic priming task in which the primes were repeated 3 or 30 times. Critically, we separated low and high repetition trials and excluded response trials. Further, we varied the physical features (letter case and format) of consecutive primes to minimise confounding effects from perceptual habituation. For centrofrontal electrodes, the N400 was reduced after 30 repetitions (vs. 3 repetitions). Explorative source reconstructions suggested that activity decreased after 30 repetitions in bilateral inferior temporal gyrus, the right posterior section of the superior and middle temporal gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, bilateral lateral occipital cortex, and bilateral lateral orbitofrontal cortex. These areas overlap broadly with those typically involved in the N400, namely middle temporal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus. The results support the semantic rather than the perceptual nature of the satiation effect.
Highlights
The two primary properties of every word are its form and its meaning
For any of the t-tests below that could be performed as F tests, the results of these F tests would give identical p-values with F = t2 because the F tests have only 1 df in the numerator (Rosenthal et al, 1999, p. 3)
Visual inspection of the results of Experiment 1 by Kounios et al (2000) suggested that the maximum N400 was approximately −2 μV at Fz and Cz. These findings suggest that the maximum expected change in the N400 from the 3 repetition condition to the 30 repetition condition should be 2 μV
Summary
The two primary properties of every word are its form (morphology and phonology) and its meaning (semantics and syntax; Levelt, 1989). Separate the two and you are left with a meaningless sound and a nameless concept This deconstruction of the properties of a word can be perceived when hearing someone speak in a language that is foreign to you. You may hear the sounds spoken with perfect clarity, you are unable to attribute meaning to them It can occur when speaking a language you do not fully master and attempt to describe a concept only to find that you lack the vocabulary to articulate it. These examples may seem like stating the obvious, yet they serve to exemplify a linguistic dichotomy that is easy to recognise at a distance when applied to foreign languages but much more difficult to perceive in languages we know well. Take the example of the word ‘Mother.’ It is difficult to conceptualise the deconstruction of this word in your native tongue – to attempt to completely separate the sounds
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