ASSESSING ADULT RECEPTIVE VOCABULARY WITH EVENT-RELATED POTENTIALS - AN INVESTIGATION OF CROSS-MODAL AND CROSS-FORM PRIMING

This experiment investigated whether a relationship existed between ev ent-related potentials (ERPs) and performance on a standardized measur e of receptive vocabulary; a computer adapted version of the Peabody P icture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R); using Preschooler, Child, and Adult levels of difficulty. Pictures (N = 90) were presented twice, o nce paired with a congruent spoken word and again paired with an incon gruent word. Two ERP components (PMN and N400) were clearly and reliab ly larger in response to incongruent than congruent picture/spoken-wor d pairs. Importantly, ERP differentiation of congruent and incongruent pairs occurred only at vocabulary levels at or below the subjects' ps ychometrically determined vocabulary range. ERP differentiation did no t occur at the highest level of vocabulary where subjects experienced more uncertainty and made more behavioral errors. These results are di scussed in relation to the use of ERP measures in the assessment of re ceptive vocabulary levels.