Determinants of Multiple Semantic Priming: A Meta-analysis and Spike Frequency Adaptive Model of a Cortical Network

Recall and language comprehension while processing sequences of words involves multiple semantic priming between several related and/or unrelated words. Accounting for multiple and interacting priming effects in terms of underlying neuronal structure and dynamics is a challenge for current models of semantic priming. Further elaboration of current models requires a quantifiable and reliable account of the simplest case of multiple priming resulting from two primes on a target. The meta-analytic approach offers a better understanding of the experimental data from studies on multiple priming regarding the additivity pattern of priming. The meta-analysis points to the effects of prime–target stimuli onset asynchronies on the pattern of underadditivity, overadditivity, or strict additivity of converging activation from multiple primes. The modeling approach is then constrained by results of the meta-analysis. We propose a model of a cortical network embedding spike frequency adaptation, which allows frequency and time-dependent modulation of neural activity. Model results give a comprehensive understanding of the meta-analysis results in terms of dynamics of neuron populations. They also give predictions regarding how stimuli intensities, association strength, and spike frequency adaptation influence multiple priming effects.

Directionality of Affective Priming: Effects of Trait Anxiety and Activation Level

Among the most influential models of automatic affective processing is the spreading activation account ( Fazio, Sanbonmatsu, Powell, & Kardes, 1986 ). However, investigations of this model by different research groups using the pronunciation task in an affective priming paradigm yielded contradictory results. Whereas one research group reported congruency effects, another obtained reversed priming effects (contrast effects), and still another found null effects. In Experiment 1, we were able to show an influence of trait anxiety on the direction of the affective priming effect. By using a multiple priming paradigm in Experiment 2, we were able to link the occurrence of reversed priming effects to increased levels of activation of affective representations. We propose that this relation might underlie the influence of trait anxiety on the direction of affective priming effects. Both experiments indicate that automatic evaluation in an affective network is substantially moderated by personality traits and activation level.