Electrophysiological signatures of conceptual and lexical retrieval from semantic memory

Abstract

Retrieval from semantic memory of conceptual and lexical information is essential for producing speech. It is unclear whether there are differences in the neural mechanisms of conceptual and lexical retrieval when spreading activation through semantic memory is initiated by verbal versus nonverbal material. In the current database, we measured 20 participants' EEG in verbal- and nonverbal-context picture-naming tasks. Target pictures were presented after constraining and nonconstraining contexts. In the verbal settings, contexts were provided as sentences (e.g., constraining: “The farmer milked a...”; nonconstraining: “The child drew a...”; target picture: COW). In the nonverbal settings, contexts were provided as two priming pictures (e.g., constraining: nest, feather; nonconstraining: leaf, lipstick; target picture: BIRD). For further information regarding the current research data, please contact Cecilia Husta (cecilia.husta@gmail.com).