WORD-TYPE EFFECTS IN WORD-STEM PRIMING - EVIDENCE FOR SEMANTIC PROCESSING IN THE PERCEPTUAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM

While a presemantic Perceptual Representation System is believed to me diate implicit memory tasks such as word-stem priming, clinical studie s suggest semantic information can be processed during priming. To cla rify the nature of this system, we investigated word-type effects in w ord-stem priming in a nonclinical sample of 41 undergraduates who rate d the pleasantness of threatening and nonthreatening words, performed implicit and explicit memory tasks, and completed measures of mood sta te. More nonthreatening words were primed and scores on the Beck Depre ssion Inventory were negatively correlated with production of nonthrea tening words. During cued recall, more threatening than nonthreatening words were remembered and ratings of state anxiety were negatively co rrelated with recall of nonthreatening words. Our findings support the contention that semantic information is processed during priming and that mood congruent biases also operate. These results may call for a reconceptualization of the Perceptual Representation System.