Repetition and semantic priming of nonwords: Implications for theories of N400 and word recognition

TLDR

The N400 component is conventionally interpreted as reflecting semantic activation of word meanings. ERPs were recorded while participants processed two sets of pronounceable nonwords—one derived from real words and one unrelated. Both derived and unrelated nonwords produced N400 responses and priming effects, indicating that the N400 is generated by orthographic/phonological analysis rather than semantic activation alone.

Abstract

Abstract ERPs were elicited by two types of orthographically legal, pronounceable nonwords. One nonword set was derived from and resembled real words, whereas the other set did not. Nonwords derived from related root words elicited N400 semantic priming effects similar to those obtained for words, indicating semantic activation of the root words. N400 repetition priming effects from nonderived nonwords were similar to those obtained for words. The elicitation of N400 by only derived nonwords would have suggested it was generated by the activation of word meanings, per se. However, both types of nonwords produced an N400, and an N400 priming effect. Because nonderived nonwords are not associated with meaning, the N400 cannot be generated by semantic activation per se. Rather, the N400 appears to be generated by orthographic/phonological analysis and is attenuated by the top‐down feed of semantic information to the orthographic/phonological level.