The encoding mechanism involved in perceptual recognition of words and pictures was investigated. Latencies in naming targets were analyzed as a function of several characteristics of a preceding prime. Results indicated that a common semantic code is available that can represent the meaning of either a word or a picture. (Author/RD)

The effects of orthographic regularity and visual familiarity on internal coding and processing of visual stimuli were investigated in four experiments using college student subjects. Consistent effects of orthography on the activation of all codes were found. Familiarity influenced semantic more than phonetic codes. Implications for reading…