Naming very familiar people : when retrieving names is faster than retrieving semantic biographical information

[en] One of the most reliable findings in the literature on person indentification is that semantic categorization of a face occurs more quickly than naming a face. Here we present two experiments in which participants are shown the faces of their colleagues, i.e., personally familiar people, encountered with high frequency. In each experiment, naming was faster than making a semantic classification, despite the fact that the semantic classifications were highly salient to the participants (Experiment I highest degree obtained; Experiment 2: nationality). The finding is consistent with models that allow or parallel access from faces to semantic information and to names, and demonstrates the need for the frequency of exposure to names to be taken into account in models of proper name processing e.g. Burke, Mackay, Worthley and Wade (1991).

Disciplines :

Theoretical & cognitive psychology

Author, co-author :

Brédart, Serge ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cognitives > Psychologie cognitive

Brennen, T.

Delchambre, Marie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Centre interfacultaire de formation des enseignants (CIFEN)

McNeill, A.

Burton, A.

Language :

English

Title :

Naming very familiar people : when retrieving names is faster than retrieving semantic biographical information

Publication date :

May 2005

Journal title :

British Journal of Psychology

ISSN :

0007-1269

eISSN :

2044-8295

Publisher :

British Psychological Soc, Leicester, United Kingdom

Volume :

Issue :

Pt 2

Pages :

205-214

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 06 January 2009

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