The Laterality of Distraction: Evaluating the ‘Coarse-Fine’ Model of Semantic Processing.

Abstract

Hemisphere asymmetries in semantic processing are well-documented. One model that attempts to account for such asymmetries is Beeman and colleagues ‘coarse-fine’ processing model (Beeman et al, 1994). This model proposes that the left hemisphere (LH) activates a narrow semantic network of closely related associates; in contrast, the right hemisphere (RH) activates a broader more diffuse semantic network, including more weakly-related associates. We use this model as a framework for understanding findings from our recent studies of distraction. The studies used a classic picture-word interference (PWI) paradigm, in which visual concepts were presented with (to-be-ignored) auditory associates. The auditory associates varied in their strength of association to the visually-presented concepts and were presented to either the LH or RH. The results, both the facilitation and impedance of responses to the visual concepts, are discussed in light of predictions arising from the ‘coarse-fine’ model of semantic processing.