Ambiguity Resolution: The Role of Input Cues and Working Memory Capacity

其目的是通过研究语言处理系统如何处理歧义来研究语言处理系统的体系结构。对比了两类模型：一类是只考虑一种歧义解释的串联模型，另一类是可以同时考虑几种解释的约束并行模型。第二个因素是概率线索是否会影响对歧义产生的解释(S)。本文考察了两种不同的歧义现象：句法歧义和代词指称歧义。本研究的具体目的是考察1)歧义前遇到的线索和歧义之后遇到的线索的相互作用，2)来自不同语言表征水平的线索的相互作用，如句法和语篇层面的线索，以及3)歧义解决的个体差异作为工作记忆容量的函数。早期的研究在很大程度上依赖于一个独立的衡量标准，即消解歧义时的阅读时间。本研究提出了六项辅助措施：1)考察其他地区的阅读时间；2)通过高度支持的解释来解决歧义；3)考察歧义之后的线索；4)对刺激进行标准化以控制连续体上的线索强度；5)使用个体差异检验。预计这些方法的加入将比以前的工作更准确地区分相反的模型。

ABSTRACT The goal is to investigate the architecture of the language processing system via the study of how the system copes with ambiguity. Two classes of models are contrasted: serial models, in which only one interpretation of an ambiguity is considered, and constrained parallel models, in which several interpretations may be briefly considered in parallel. A second factor is whether probabilistic cues may influence the interpretation(s) that are generated for an ambiguity. Two different ambiguities are investigated: syntactic ambiguities and pronominal reference ambiguities. The specific aims are to investigate 1) the interaction of cues that are encountered before an ambiguity and ones encountered after an ambiguity, 2) the interaction of cues from different levels of linguistics representations, such as syntactic and discourse-level cues, and 3) individual differences in ambiguity resolution as a function of working memory capacity. Earlier research has relied heavily on one dependent measure, reading time at the disambiguation. Six supplementary measures are proposed: 1) examination of reading time in other regions, 2) studies in which ambiguities are resolved with a highly favored interpretation, 3) examination of cues that follow the ambiguity, 4) norming of stimuli to manipulate cue strength on a continuum, 5) the use of examination of individual differences. It is expected that the addition of these methods will distinguish the opposing models more precisely than in much previous work.