SCRIPT AS A PRIMING STIMULUS FOR LEXICAL DECISIONS WITH VISUAL HEMIFIELD STIMULATION

The present study examined the effect of script-based priming stimuli on the ability to discriminate word from nonword targets (lexical deci sion) presented to the right or left visual hemifield (RVF, LVF). The scripts contained two sentences. In addition, the targets were either related or unrelated to the preceding script. Although the greatest am ount of facilitation was found for RVF-presented target stimuli follow ing related scripts, nevertheless, scripts significantly facilitated l exical decisions for related word targets presented to the LVF as well . If the script represents ''knowledge of the world,'' and it is knowl edge of the world that facilitates word from nonword discrimination, t hen knowledge of the world was available to right hemisphere lexical m echanisms. However, the superior discrimination of RVF-presented targe ts after relevant scripts argues that either the left hemisphere is mo re efficient or each of the hemispheres processes script primes by a d ifferent mechanism. (C) 1997 Academic Press.