Large-Scale Modeling of Lexical Processes

Connectionist models of lexical processing have come a long way over the past 25 years. The literature contains small-scale models that have been used in support of specific arguments (e.g., Kello & Plaut, 2003), as well as larger-scale models that have been used in support of general theories (e.g., Plaut, McClelland, Seidenberg, & Patterson, 1996). All of these models have been invaluable in providing some theoretical grounding for debates about lexical acquisition and processing, both normal and impaired. However, all extant models have at least one limitation in common: they only simulate performance with mono-syllabic words. This limitation is serious because it calls into question whether the current computational principles and findings will hold up when the full extent of a lexicon i