Multiple primes and semantic satiation: Attenuation of the P2 amplitude following massive exposure to semantic co-ordinate words

The phenomenon of Semantic Satiation refers to the temporary loss or attenuation of the meaning of a word when this word is repeatedly perceived. Kounios et al. (2000) showed a modulation of the N400 ERP component elicited by target words (e.g., cat), as a function of the number of presentations (1 or 15) of a prime word (e.g., dog). The present study is aimed at investigating Semantic Satiation within-semantic category. In an electrophysiology study we presented critical words that could be preceded by: a) one semantic within-category coordinate (Low Satiation condition); b) by eleven semantic within-category coordinates (High Satiation condition); or c) by more than eleven semantically unrelated words (Unrelated condition). Participants performed a word-detection task on filler words. Congruently with previous studies, a modulation of the ERP amplitude was observed in the N400 time window for both the Low and High Satiation conditions with respect to the Unrelated condition. Moreover, with respect to the Low Satiation, the High Satiation condition showed a modulation of the ERPs in an earlier time window (180-250 ms). The results suggest that semantic satiation (a) can be obtained even with massive exposure to semantic coordinates and (b) is affecting early stages of semantic processing.