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Word age-of-acquisition effects: a review

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Current Psychological Reviews

Abstract

This paper reviews research concerned with word age-of-acquisition (AOA) effects in adult word recognition and production. Methodological issues, including the use of multiple regression techniques, are considered first. The pattern of substantive results is presented and is interpreted as indicating that AOA effects are most marked in word production as against word recognition. Possible theoretical interpretations are discussed and future research possibilities are outlined.

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Gilhooly, K.J., Watson, F.L. Word age-of-acquisition effects: a review. Current Psychological Reviews 1, 269–286 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02684489

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