The effects of priming on picture recognition.

In two experiments we show that the prior presentation of a picture serves to facilitate the recognition of that picture in a tachistoscope up to 45 minutes later. Facilitation of recognition also occurred with prior presentation of a different picture with the same name. This cannot be explained items of a response bias, since the presentation of a word, which the subject read aloud, had no effect whatsoever upon the subsequent recognition of the picture. The data are interpreted in terms of a categorization stage for pictures which is completely independent of the verbal system. Data from other experimental paradigms are also examined. Our categorization model enables consistent interpretation of these data, which otherwise appear contradictory.