Patterns of Excitation and Inhibition in Picture Naming

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Abstract
Previous work has demonstrated that, if a series of objects is named successively under speeded naming instructions, then responses from early trials can re-occur as errors to later objects. This illustrates the competitive nature of object naming, and the perseverative effect is due to the higher activation levels within the objectnaming system of early named objects relative to new, to-be-named objects. Campbell and Clark (1989) have demonstrated similar interference effects in simple arithmetic problems, and they examined errors with respect to the frequency with which they match responses on previous trials at various intervals (lags). They found that errors relating to the immediately preceding trial were reduced, and they argue that this is due to a temporary inhibitory effect. The experiment reported here adopted the methods and statistical procedures used by Campbell and Clark to investigate the possibility of a similar inhibitory effect in picture naming. Subjects named 30 pictures of animals under speeded naming instructions, and the errors were examined in relation to the lag between error and original response. The interference effects due to excitation remaining in the system were confirmed, but these errors related only to responses several trials earlier. No errors related to the immediately preceding response were observed, suggesting a brief inhibitory effect. The data therefore confirm those of Campbell and Clark on arithmetic errors, suggesting that both excitatory and inhibitory processes may also co-exist in picture naming. Possible mechanisms for inhibition and its locus within the system are discussed.

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