Research Article UNITIZATION OF SUBLEXICAL COMPONENTS IN IMPLICIT MEMORY FOR NOVEL WORDS

Abstract—This study examines the role of componential knowledge and unitization processes in implicit memory. In two experiments, sub-jects studied novel words formed out of morphemes, syllables, or pseu-dosyllables. They then completed an implicit task requiring a judgment as to which of two items (one old, one new) was a better English word. Experiment 1 replicated previous results showing prim-ing for nonwords formed out of morphemes and syllables but not pseu-dosyllables. This effect was present when orthographic factors were controlled and, unlike explicit (recognition) memory, was equally strong following visual and semantic processing. Experiment 2 showed that little priming was present across a variety of conditions in which the connections between components were altered across study and test. Results are interpreted as evidence for the role of per-ceptually based activation and integration processes in implicit mem-ory for novel stimuli