Lexical and semantic processing of ambiguous phrases and analysis of eye movements

• Grant number: 18/08069-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Cognitive Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Elizeu Coutinho de Macedo
• Grantee: Mayara de Sousa Crippa Vaz de Oliveira Barros
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (UPM). Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Reading is an important skill for acquiring new knowledge and provides both cognitive and social development. Efficient reading involves both decoding and comprehension, and the evaluation these components can be done through lexical and semantic decision tasks. Thus, lexical decision tests attempt to evaluate the mental lexicon, and semantic decision tests can be used to evaluate the level of comprehension. The aim of the present study is to analyze the relationship between the lexicon and the semantic processing in the reading of ambiguous sentences, with the analysis of eye movement patterns. Sixty college students of both sexes will be evaluated with the neuropsychological instruments of memory and reading pattern. In addition, they will perform the task of lexical decision and semantic decision in a computer with equipment that allows the recording of the ocular movements. Analyzes of Pearson's correlations will be conducted between the neuropsychological test scores and the lexical and semantic decision tests. Anova multivariate of repeated measures will be made in order to verify difference between the types of items of the evidence of decision. Regression analyzes will be performed in order to verify the prediction of the score in the semantic decision test from the lexical decision test.