Differential Effects of Number of Letters on Word and Nonword Naming Latency

The differential effects of number of letters on word & nonword naming latency is studied in two experiments based on reading aloud tasks. In experiment 1, subjects ([Ss] N = 20) were asked to read aloud to determine equivalent or differential effects of number of letters on the latency to name high- or low-frequency words, & nonwords in English. Results indicated that the number of letters has a significant effect on nonword naming latency, but not on word naming latency. In experiment 2 (N = 20), delayed naming latencies in experiment 1 are examined to exclude the possibility that differential effects of number of letters were due to ease of item articulation rather than the time taken to generate a phonological code. Results indicate that the differential effects of number of letters on immediate naming were not due to differences in ease of item articulation. It is suggested that the effect of number of letters on nonword naming latency probably reflects the sequential operation of a nonlexical reading mechanism. This, in turn, is indicated to support reading models that assume a sequential process is used to read aloud. 2 Tables, 2 Figures, 40 References. Adapted from the source document