The Salience of the Centrality Peripherality Dimension in Semantic Memory

Abstract

Tested the salience of the central/peripheral distinction in natural categories for 72 undergraduates and graduate students using a release-from-proactive-inhibition task. It was hypothesized that if the central/peripheral distinction is a meaningful one, then switching from central to peripheral items or from peripheral to central items within the same category would produce a significant release effect. This hypothesis was tested with 2 semantic categories selected from E. Rosch's (see record 1976-00172-001) centrality/peripherality norms (clothing and furniture). When Ss' performance was analyzed, no significant difference was found between switching from central to peripheral items or switching from peripheral to central items. There was also no significant difference between the 2 categories of clothing and furniture. There was, however, a significant release effect on the release trial. It appears that the central/peripheral distinction is a meaningful one for adults, as Rosch has suggested.