DO ORTHOGRAPHY AND PHONOLOGY INTERACT IN MASKED PRIMING?

Abstract

Using a new technique to vary phonological overlap while keeping orthographic overlap constant, this study investigates phonological priming at different prime durations (40ms, 60ms and 70ms). In the first and second experiments, significant priming was obtained in both phonological similar (O+P+) and phonological dissimilar (O+P-) conditions, and there was no interaction between priming and phonological overlap, nor was there any appreciable effect of prime duration. However in the third experiment, priming was obtained only for the O+P+ condition; there was no priming in the O+P- condition.  Once again, there was no effect of prime duration.  The results suggest that orthography and phonology do interact in masked priming, but not in all circumstances.