LEXICAL AMBIGUITY AND EYE FIXATIONS IN READING - A TEST OF COMPETING MODELS OF LEXICAL AMBIGUITY RESOLUTION

Eye movement data were used to test two models of lexical ambiguity resolution. When ambiguous target words are preceded by disambiguating context, the integration model holds that the disambiguating material has no effect on the initial access phase of the meaning assignment process. In contrast, the reordered access model holds that disambiguating material can affect the initial access phase of the process by increasing the availability of one of the potential meanings. Subjects read sentences containing ambiguous words that had one very dominant and another more subordinate meaning. The words were preceded either by (1) evidence that the subordinate meaning of the word should be instantiated, (2) evidence that the dominant meaning should not be instantiated, or (3) neutral material. The ambiguous words were followed by material that conclusively disambiguated them toward their subordinate meanings. Gaze durations on the ambiguous words were longer when the words were preceded by evidence against their dominant meanings. Processing times for the disambiguating material were longer when the words were preceded by neutral material. The results were interpreted as support for the reordered access model. © 1992.