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Abstract:
We are currently replicating an experiment by Waters, Caplan,
& Hildebrandt (1987) in Dutch. Sentential complexity is
manipulated by contrasting subject and object relative sentences.
Post-sentential (semantic) complexity is varied by comparing one
and two-proposition sentences. There are two memory load
conditions: no load and articulatory suppression. Some of Waters et
al.'s two-proposition sentences, but none of their one-proposition
sentences, contained center embeddings. Therefore, their
post-sentential effect might be syntactic rather than semantic. Our
design is identical to theirs, but no center embeddings are used.
This will clarify whether the post-sentential effect is semantic or
not. Waters et al. assume one system for sentential and one for
post-sentential processing for two reasons. First, sentential and
post-sentential effects are independent. Secondly, post-sentential
complexity, but not sentential complexity, interacts with
articulatory suppression. This suggests that post-sentential
complexity and articulatory suppression make use of one system,
which is different from the one involved in sentential processing.
Replication of their findings without center embeddings supports a
separate resource theory. However, if propositional complexity does
not interact with articulatory suppression, the relation of
articulatory suppression and syntactic complexity needs to be
reconsidered. REFERENCES Waters, G., Caplan, D., & Hildebrandt,
N. (1987). Working memory and written sentence comprehension. In:
Coltheart, M. (Ed.), Attention and Performance XII: The Psychology
of Reading. Hillsdale, NJ: LEA Press. 531-555.
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