P3: A technique for the study of perception, production, and participant properties

By combining lexical recognition paradigms and written production it is possible to efficiently investigate the roles of perception, production, and participant properties in lexical processing. We report on an approach to experimentation that generates a rich set of dependent variables associated with naming stimuli aloud and with writing. Crucially, this approach allows for experimentation in which participants perform experiments in pairs. The first member of the pair sees a word and says it aloud. This oral production serves as input to the second member of the participant pair who writes the word down. We discuss the kinds of dependent variables generated by this experimental technique and the manner in which the components of the technique can be isolated in a system of control conditions. Finally, we report on an example of its use in the investigation of semantic transparency in the processing of English compound words.