Phonological priming effects on word retrieval and tip-of-the-tongue experiences in young and older adults

In a repetition priming paradigm, young and older participants read aloud p rime words that sometimes shared phonological components with a target word that answered a general knowledge question. In Experiment 1, prior process ing of phonologically related words decreased tip-of-the-tongue states (TOT s) and increased correct responses to subsequent questions. In Experiment 2 , the priming task occurred only when the participant could not answer the question. Processing phonologically related words increased correct recall, but only when the participant was in a TOT state. Phonological priming eff ects were age invariant, although older adults produced relatively more TOT s. Results support the transmission deficit model that the weak connections among phonological representations that cause TOTs are strengthened by pro duction of phonologically related words. There was no evidence that phonolo gically related words block TOT targets.