Modelling the Tip-Of-the-Tongue State in Guided Propagation Networks

Abstract

We start by presenting the Tip-Of-the-Tongue (TOT) problem and some theories accounting for it. We go then on to consider it within the framework of a neurobiological, computational model: Guided Propagation Networks (GPNs). “Selective facilitation”, a feature of the model, allows us to formulate and test various hypotheses accounting for the impeded access to a target word. We will illustrate and test them via a computer program simulating the TOT state. A comparison with other “spreading activation” models is proposed in the final discussion, as well as an evaluation of the proposed hypotheses.