Limitations of Semantic Priming Procedures for Automatic Goal Activation

Bibliographic Data

ID13664601
AuthorsRob M A Nelissen (0000-0001-5839-9438, Maastricht University, corresponding author), Anton J M Dijker (0000-0003-3320-1151, Maastricht University), Nanne K De Vries (0000-0002-4348-707X, Maastricht University)
Year2005
Volume97
Issue3
Pages675-689
Publication date2005-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2466/pr0.97.3.675-689
PMID16512280
OpenAlexW2163739787
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited16

According to the auto-motive model, behavioral goals can be automatically activated by situational cues and may subsequently guide behavior without individual awarness. Semantic priming has become a popular paradigm for investigating effects of automatic goal activation. Nevertheless, a critical assumption of the model, i.e., that goals can be activated by semantic primes related to situational features associated with the goal, is often assumed rather than tested in experiments using semantic priming procedures. Results of four studies testing the potential of such a prime for goal activation by assessing emotional responses, subjective goal importance, behavioral intentions, and enhanced perception of goal-related stimuli do not support this assumption. The implications of these findings and a critical evaluation of results of other studies are discussed in terms of possible limitations of semantic priming procedures for testing hypotheses derived from the auto-motive model

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Lexical decision task · Perception · Prime (order theory · Priming (agriculture · Situational ethics · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Cultural Differences and Values · Neuroscience · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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