Logogen model: Difference between revisions

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Morton's Logogen model was designed to explain [[word]] [[recognition]] using a new type of unit known as a "[[logogen]]." A critical element of this theory is the involvement of lexicons, or specialized aspects of memory that include semantic and phonemic information about each item that is contained in memory. A given [[lexicon]] consists of many smaller, abstract items known as logogens. The word logogen can be traced back to the Greek word ''logos'', which means "word", and ''genus'', which means "birth." Logogens contain a variety of properties about given word such as their appearance, sound, and meaning. It is important to note that logogens do not store words within themselves, but rather they store information that is specifically necessary for retrieval of whatever word is being searched for. A given logogen will become activated by stimuli or contextual information (words) that is consistent with the properties of that specific logogen and when the logogen's activation level rises to or above its threshold level, the [[pronunciation]] of the given word is sent to the output system. Certain stimuli can affect the activation levels of more than one word at a time, usually involving words that are similar to one another. When this occurs, whichever of the words' activation levels reaches the threshold level, it is that word that is then sent to the output system with the subject remaining unaware of any partially excited logogens. This assumption was made by Marslen-Wilson and Welch (1978), who added to the model some assumptions of their own in order to account for their experimental results. They also assumed that the analysis of phonetic input can only become available to other parts of the system by process of how the input affects the logogen system. Finally, Marslen-Wilson and Welch assume that the first [[syllable]] of a given word will increase the activation level of a given logogen more than those of the latter syllables, which supported the data found at the time.

== Analysis ==