Context and the activation of predictive inferences

Psychon Bull Rev. 2008 Apr;15(2):351-6. doi: 10.3758/pbr.15.2.351.

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that the activation of predictive inferences can be affected both by the immediately preceding context and by the information contained in an earlier portion of a passage. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the same immediate context can result in the activation of different inferences when different character trait descriptions of the protagonist were presented earlier in the passage. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the trait descriptions produced activation of a specific inference; this occurred even though the immediately preceding context, in isolation, led to the activation of a different inference. The results of both experiments offer further support for the view that inference activation occurs as a result of the combined influence of the immediate context and the earlier portions of a text.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Association*
  • Humans
  • Memory
  • Narration*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychology / methods*
  • Semantics*
  • Thinking
  • Visual Perception*