The task dependence of staged versus cascaded processing: An empirical andcomputational study of stroop interference in speech production

The authors investigated the on-line relationship between overt articulatio n and the central processes of speech production. In 2 experiments manipula ting the timing of Stroop interference in color naming, the authors found t hat naming behavior can shift between exhibiting a staged or cascaded mode of processing, depending on task demands: An effect of Stroop interference on naming durations arose only when there was increased pressure for speede d responding. In a simple connectionist model of information processing app lied to color naming, the authors accounted for the current results by mani pulating a single parameter, termed "gain," modulating the rate of informat ion accrual within the network. Results are discussed in relation to mechan isms of strategic control and the link between cognition and action.