Perceptual Contiguity Does Not Modulate Matched-Case Identity-Priming Effects in Lexical Decision

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Abstract
In recent studies with the masked priming lexical decision task, matched-case identity-priming effects occur for nonwords but not for words (e.g., nonwords: ERTAR-ERTAR faster than ertar-ERTAR; words: ALTAR-ALTAR produces similar response times as altar-ALTAR). This dissociation is thought to result from lexical feedback influencing orthographic representations in word processing. As nonwords do not receive this feedback, bottom-up processing of prime–target integration leads to matched-case effects. However, the underlying mechanism of this effect in nonwords remains unclear. In this study, we added a color congruency manipulation across the prime and target in the matched-case identity-priming design. We aimed to determine whether the case effects originate at the early stages of prime–target perceptual integration or due to bottom-up activation of case-specific letter detectors. Results replicated the previous dissociation between words and nonwords regarding the matched-case identity effect. Additionally, we did not find any modulation of these effects by prime–target color congruency. These findings suggest that the locus of the matched-case identity effect is at an orthographic level of representation that encodes case information.
Funding Information
  • Generalitat Valenciana (CIAICO/2021/172, PID2020-116740GB-I00, PRE2018-083922)
  • MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (CIAICO/2021/172, PID2020-116740GB-I00, PRE2018-083922)
  • Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CIAICO/2021/172, PID2020-116740GB-I00, PRE2018-083922)

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