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In two experiments (N = 179), we studied the effects of contextual similarity and training mode on the comprehension of new vocabulary. Participants were trained on new vocabulary in blocks of semantically similar, phonologically similar, or unrelated items. Each participant was trained through passive exposure, active comprehension, or active production. Same number of items were trained in clusters of 9 in Experiment 1 and clusters of 3 in Experiment 2, manipulating difficulty during training. Results showed a detrimental and persistent effect of semantic similarity, and a less robust effect of phonological similarity, both of which grew larger over time. We also found a negative and largely independent influence of production mode on learning, which, contrary to the similarity effect, shrank with time. Neither effect was modulated by difficulty at training time. These findings shed further light on the factors influencing new vocabulary learning and open new avenues for larger-scale and classroom-level studies.
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Effect of similarity and training experiences on new vocabulary learning
In two experiments (N = 179), we studied the effect of contextual similarity and training mode on new vocabulary learning. Adult participants were trained on blocks of items that were semantically similar, phonologically similar, or unrelated to one another. Each participant was trained through passive exposure, active comprehension, or active production of the new vocabulary. Exp 1 trained items in clusters of 9, whereas Exp 2 trained the same number of items in clusters of 3. Exp 2 also assessed delayed retention 48-72 hours after training. Results showed a robust and negative impact of semantic similarity and production mode on vocabulary learning. A detrimental effect of phonological similarity was only observed in the delayed test. These results suggest that adding the challenge of resolving similarity-induced competition and articulating the word-form negatively impacts the quick acquisition of new vocabulary.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2346989
- PAR ID:
- 10523494
- Editor(s):
- Samuelson, L K; Frank, S; Toneva, M; Mackey, A; Hazeltine, E
- Publisher / Repository:
- Proceedings of the 45th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society.
- Date Published:
- ISSN:
- 1069-7977
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Location:
- UC Merced
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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