This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This course will focus on the structure of lexical items, the way in which these different lexical items are stored and the nature of the relation between them. Relevant theoretical work in the fields of psycholinguistics and language processing will be outlined and discussed. Students will evaluate the efficacy of these theories on the basis of experimental investigations which they themselves will construct and conduct, for example word association experiments, lexicon decision tasks and parsing phenomena.
Total Contact Hours: 20
Private Study Hours: 130
Total Study Hours: 150
Main assessment methods
• Presentation of experiment (10 minutes) – 20%
• Report (3000 words) – 80%
Reassessment methods
• Reassessment instrument: 100% coursework
Indicative Reading List
Aitchison, J. (2012) Words in the Mind: An Introduction to the Mental Lexicon. Oxford: Basil Blackwell Ltd;
Field, J. (2005) Language and the mind. London: Routledge;
Harley, Trevor A. (2008) (3rd ed.) The Psychology of Language: From Data to Theory. London: Psychology Press;
Traxler, M. (2012) Introduction to Psycholinguistics: Understanding Language Science. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Describe and critically evaluate psycholinguistic concepts;
2 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the structure of the lexicon in terms of phonological and morphological components;
3 Show a critical awareness of the differences between comprehension and production in linguistic processing;
4 Demonstrate practical linguistic research skills, having undertaken independent research experiments, and analysed and discussed their findings in accordance with
scientific protocol.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Clearly communicate the results of study and work to specialist and non-specialist audiences, with well-structured and coherent arguments;
2 Participate in discussions, analysing and critically evaluating their own contributions and those of others;
3 Demonstrate their ability to undertake original independent learning, by taking initiative in solving problems and reading core publications and beyond.
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