The effect of letter-case type on the semantic processing of words and sentences during attentive and mind-wandering states

Bibliographic Data

ID21819665
AuthorsNicolas Laham (Carleton University), Craig Leth‐Steensen (0000-0001-9159-4040, Carleton University, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume15
Issue1
Pages106-130
Publication date2023-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLanguage and Cognition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1866-9808 • E-ISSN: 1866-9859
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/langcog.2022.28
OpenAlexW4308485432
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited38

The task of finding a case type that, on average, enhances the processing of verbal material has yielded mixed results in the literature. This study tackled this issue with an eye to the issue of processing textual information on road signs and the additional consideration of readers’ attentive states. Participants ( n = 104) completed three experiments, the first two of which made use of both short (i.e., attentive state) and long (i.e., nonattentive or mind-wandering state) inter-trial intervals (ITIs). Experiment I consisted of a living versus non-living category-decision task involving the presentation of single words. Experiment II consisted of a sensical versus nonsensical sentence-judgment task. Experiment III consisted of a recognition memory task for words presented during the category-decision task. No significant difference in letter-case-type effectiveness was found for either the semantic categorization of or memory for single words. On the other hand, sensical sentences were correctly judged more quickly in lower case (or, more precisely, sentence case with the first letter of the first word capitalized). Such results point to either a more fluent processing of or enhanced conceptual resonance for sentences presented in lower case

Categorization · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Linguistics · Natural language processing · Semantic memory · Sentence · Computer Science · EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces · Mind wandering and attention · Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies · Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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