Semantic category moderates phonological priming of proper name retrieval during tip-of-the-tongue states

Abstract

Despite evidence that the majority of tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) states occur for proper names, little research has investigated factors that influence their resolution. Although phonological primes typically increase TOT resolution, the present experiment investigated whether priming effects are mitigated by semantic competition. Participants read questions whose answers were proper name targets (e.g., Helen Hunt, Elton John) from various semantic categories (e.g., actor, musician). Following a TOT, another question was presented that either included a prime name that varied in phonological overlap with the target (full first name or first syllable) and semantic category (same profession, different profession) or was phonologically and semantically unrelated to the target. After presenting the target question a second time, participants were more likely to resolve TOTs following first-name primes than unrelated names, independent of semantic category. In contrast, first-syllable primes marginally facilitated TOT resolution when the prime was in a different semantic category but not when the prime was in the same semantic category. These results demonstrate that semantic overlap increases competition from phonologically related names when there is incomplete phonological input, allowing an alternative name to prevent TOT resolution.