The process of changing reference in simple texts
The thesis investigates the link between memory and the construction of representations of individuals by studying referential change. The issue of how properties of individuals are represented as belonging to one and the same individual in memory is considered, and the processing of simple descriptions of pairs of individuals is considered in relation to this issue. Previous work has shown that referentially predictable descriptions of individuals impose no cost when attention switched between individuals. This investigation shows that when texts are referentially unpredictable, switching reference does cost time and that the two individuals are treated symmetrically. Recall analysis supports this and suggests that subjects focus on one of the individuals more than the other. This is explained by assuming that subjects encode simple surface characteristics which allow them to infer the pattern of attribute binding described by a text. When this mapping from surface order to semantics is disrupted by the introduction of unpredictability, subjects respond by treating the individuals asymmetrically which restores the mapping. It is proposed that this use of surface information is a general feature of language
Nelson, Alexander William Robb
The process of changing reference in simple texts. The thesis investigates the link between memory and the construction of representations of individuals by studying referential change. The issue of how properties of individuals are represented as belonging to one and the same individual in memory is considered, and the processing of simple descriptions of pairs of individuals is considered in relation to this issue. Previous work has shown that referentially predictable descriptions of individuals impose no cost when attention switched between individuals. This investigation shows that when texts are referentially unpredictable, switching reference does cost time and that the two individuals are treated symmetrically. Recall analysis supports this and suggests that subjects focus on one of the individuals more than the other. This is explained by assuming that subjects encode simple surface characteristics which allow them to infer the pattern of attribute binding described by a text. When this mapping from surface order to semantics is disrupted by the introduction of unpredictability, subjects respond by treating the individuals asymmetrically which restores the mapping. It is proposed that this use of surface information is a general feature of language
process_change reference simple text investigates link memory construction representation individual study referential change issue property individual represent belong individual memory consider process simple description pair individual consider_relation issue previous_work show predictable description individual impose cost attention switch individual investigation show texts unpredictable switch reference cost time individual treat recall analysis support suggest subject focus_one individual other explain assume subject encode simple surface characteristic allow infer pattern attribute bind describe text map surface order semantics disrupt introduction subject respond treat individual restore mapping propose use surface information general feature_language