Establishing a time-line of word recognition

TLDR

Eye‑fixation duration limits the time available for lexical processing, and ERP studies can reveal the stages occurring within a single fixation. The authors compared high‑ and low‑frequency regular and exception words in simultaneous eye‑movement and high‑density ERP lexical‑decision experiments, testing lexicality, frequency, and regularity effects. The data indicate that lexicality, frequency, and regularity effects emerge very early during a single eye fixation.

Abstract

THE average duration of eye fixations in reading places constraints on the time for lexical processing. Data from event related potential (ERP) studies of word recognition can illuminate stages of processing within a single fixation on a word. In the present study, high and low frequency regular and exception words were used as targets in an eye movement reading experiment and a high-density electrode ERP lexical decision experiment. Effects of lexicality (word vs pseudoword vs consonant strings), word frequency (high vs low frequency) and word regularity (regular vs exception spelling-sound correspondence) were examined. Results suggest a very early time-course for these aspects of lexical processing within the context of a single eye fixation.