The effects of distractor words on naming pictures at the subordinate level

Three experiments are reported in which participants are asked to name pict ures at the subordinate level (e.g. POODLE) whilst ignoring a distracter wo rd. In Experiment I, the distracter words included the names of other exemp lars from the same basic-level category (e.g. spaniel). Naming latencies we re prolonged in this condition, relative to unrelated conditions. In Experi ment 2, the distracter words included the correct basic level names (e.g. d og) and the names of related basic level objects (e.g. cat). Subordinate na ming latencies were faster in these conditions than in unrelated conditions , suggesting that basic level names can be eliminated as competitors and th at it can even be useful to have simultaneous activation of the correct bas ic level representation when retrieving subordinate names. Finally, Experim ent 3 showed that when the names of subordinate objects from a related basi c-level category (e.g. koala) are printed on objects, subordinate naming la tencies are again delayed when compared with unrelated conditions. The resu lts are discussed with reference to current models of object name retrieval .