Baker-Kukona, Anuenue ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4377-3057 (2025) Speech rate and associations in predictive sentence processing. Attention, Perception, and Psychophysics. ISSN 1943-3921 (Print), 1943-393X (Online) (In Press) (doi:10.3758/s13414-025-03160-0)

PDF (Author's Accepted Manuscript) 51715 KUKONA_Speech_Rate_And_Associations_In_Predictive_Sentence_Processing_(AAM)_2025.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (555kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Do comprehenders predict (i.e., what will come next) when hearing rapid speech? Two mouse cursor tracking experiments investigated association-based predictions, which may be suited to speeded processing. Participants heard predictive sentences (e.g., “What the pilot will fly, which is shown here, is the…”) while viewing visual arrays with predictable objects (e.g., helicopter) and unpredictable but verb-associated objects (e.g., kite) or unrelated objects (e.g., book). Experiment 1 compared predictive and non-predictive (e.g., “What everyone will discuss, which is shown here, is the…”) sentences at a normal speech rate, and Experiment 2 compared predictive sentences at a normal and fast speech rate (e.g., averaging ~4 and 9 syllables per second). In addition to making mouse cursor movements to predictable objects before hearing predictable words (e.g., “helicopter”), participants’ mouse cursor movements at both speech rates were attracted to unpredictable but verb-associated objects, providing evidence of association-based prediction. These results suggest that when hearing rapid speech, associations support but do not dominate comprehenders’ predictions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	associations, mouse cursor tracking, prediction, sentence processing, speech rate
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Thinking and Learning Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	24 Nov 2025 11:33
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/51715

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads