Abstract
Picture naming requires access to three kinds of codes in permanent memory: visual-perceptual, semantic, and lexical. When a picture is named a second time, there is a substantial latency drop. This is assumed to reflect a limited but specific reorganization of memory called “update.” Research was designed to explore three questions: (1) Are the code systems independent? (2) Does update occur in the visual system? If so, what proportion of update is visual? (3) How does the salience of objects (i.e., frequency, ecological importance) determine the magnitude of the latency drop? The naming latencies for pictures previously processed only visually were compared with pictures renamed and those not previously presented. Pictures were calibrated on one index of salience (uncertainty). Results supported the conclusion that the visual system is at least partially independent of the others. Update occurs in the visual system; visual-node priming may be responsible for approximately one-third of the total latency drop. Finally, visual update appears insensitive to object salience, whereas the nonvisual components primed, lexical and/or semantic, interact with salience.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, J. R. Language, memory and thought. Hillsdale, N.J: Erlbaum, 1976.
Bartram, D. J. The role of visual and semantic codes in object naming. Cognitive Psychology, 1974, 6, 325–356.
Carroll, J. B., & White, M. N. Word frequency and age of acquisition as determiners of picture-naming latency. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1973, 25, 85–95.
Clark, H. H., & Clark, E. V. Psychology and language: An introduction to psycholinguistics. New York: Harcourt Brace Javanovich, 1977.
Lachman, R., & Lachman, J. L. Picture naming: Retrieval and activation of long-term memory. In L. W. Poon, J. L. Fozard, L. S. Cermak, D. Arenberg, & L. W. Thompson (Eds.), New directions in memory and aging: Proceedings of the George Talland memorial conference. Hillsdale, N.J: Erlbaum, 1980.
Lachman, R., Shaffer, J. P., & Hennrikus, D. Language and cognition: Effects of stimulus codability, name-word frequency, and age of acquisition on lexical reaction time. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1974, 13, 613–625.
Mills, R. H., Knox, A. W., Juola, J. F., & Salmon, S. J. Cognitive loci of impairments in picture naming by aphasic subjects. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 1979, 22, 74–87.
Oldfield, R. C, & Wingfield, A. Response latencies in naming objects. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1965, 17,273–281.
Posner, M. I. Chronometric explorations of mind. The third Paul M. Fitts lectures. Hillsdale, N.J: Erlbaum, 1978.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lachman, R., Lachman, J.L., Thronesbery, C. et al. Object salience and code separation in picture naming. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 16, 187–190 (1980). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329517
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329517