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Effects of Frequency and Emotional Valence in Word Processing by Native and

Foreign English Speakers

Poster · April 2018

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.28253.87524

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Diana Marcela Lizarazo Ricardo M Tamayo

University of Oslo National University of Colombia
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Felicia Roberts
Purdue University
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 EFFECTS OF FREQUENCY AND EMOTIONAL
VALENCE IN WORD PROCESSING BY NATIVE
AND FOREIGN ENGLISH SPEAKERS
Diana Lizarazo, Ricardo Tamayo & Felicia Roberts
Universidad Nacional de Colombia & Purdue University
ABSTRACT
RESULTS
Could the language that we use change the way in which we Quantitative Data
process the information of the world around us? One important
topic for psychologists, linguistics, and academics in second Mixed ANOVA (Repeated measures) & Linear Regression Model.
language studies is to identify differences and convergences in (SPSS)
the processing of information between first language speakers
and second language speakers. According to recent research, • Confirmation foreign English effect F(1,98) = 44.35, p < 0.000]
native speakers, process information in a different way than
second language speakers; one of the explanations for these
• Confirmation high frequency effect F(1,98) = 13.565 p < 0.000]
differences has been the role of emotional connotations in our • Significant differences on valence x group F(2,196) = 6.738 p <
first language. To fully understand the differences in cognitive 0.001]
processing in both Native and foreign English speakers, it is
necessary to analyze the influence of language in word • Interaction between group, frequency and valence No significance
processing. The current study was aimed at answering the F(2,196) = 6.738 p =0 .514]
following question: How does a presentation of High frequency-
Low frequency words affect response time in an emotional
Stroop test between Native and foreign English speakers? This
research was focused on analyzing the differences in frequency
and emotional valence in word processing in Native and foreign
English speakers. An emotional Stroop task to measure the
reaction time in the interaction between these variables: high
and low-frequency words with positive, neutral and negative
valence was performed.
METHODOLOGY
• RESEARCH QUESTION:

How does presentation of High frequency- Low frequency words affect

response time in an emotional Stroop test between Native and foreign Qualitative Data Mean reaction time per category
English speakers?
Linear Correlation
• HYPOTHESIS:

High frequency words will have higher reaction times due to the
• The more time living in an English country the faster RT. (Negative
correlation: R:-,341, P=(0,065) 90%)
emotional interference in the emotional Stroop task for native English
speakers and foreign English speakers with a higher exposure to L2. • The latest learning of L2 the slower RT. (Positive correlation: R:-,351,
• OBJECTIVE
P=(0,000))

Identify if High-frequency and low-frequency words have an effect in • The most use of English, the faster RT. (Negative correlation: R: -
response time during an Emotional Stroop task, if so, analyze their 0.366 P=(0,000))
relation with L2 Exposure. • Language preference: Not significant. (R:0,008, P=(0,511))
• EXPERIMENTAL TASK CONCLUSIONS

Emotional Stroop task with keyboard response, selection between 4 • Native English Speakers have a faster word processing compared
. colors with Foreign English Speakers.

• Contrary to the hypothesis, High-frequency words are processed

faster than Low-frequency words indicating a greater influence of
cognitive load than emotional load in a Stroop paradigm.

• Opposite reaction time depending on valence: While for Native

Speakers the processing of negative words is slower in foreign English
speakers the processing is faster, for positive words the opposite is
PARTICIPANTS: true, faster processing in Native English speakers and slower
processing in Foreign English speakers.
100 Purdue University Students
• The more exposure to the second language the faster reaction time.
50 Native English Speakers – 50 Foreign English Speakers ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Acknowledgements to UREP-C (Undergraduate Research Experience Purdue
Colombia) thank you Purdue University and Universidad Nacional de Colombia
• Between subjects:2(Native-Foreign) for for making possible this research experience,
REFERENCES
• Within subjects: 2(Highfrequency-Lowfrequency) Conrad, M., & Jacobs, A. M. (2011). The time course of emotion effects in first and second language
processing: A crosscultural ERP study with German–Spanish bilinguals. Frontiers in Psychology, 2, 351.
x 3(positive-neutral-negative)
Costa, A., Foucart, A., Arnon, I., Aparici, M., & Apesteguia, J. (2014). “Piensa” twice: on the foreign
language effect in decision making. Cognition, 130(2), 236-254.

Harris, C. L. (2004). Bilingual speakers in the lab: Psychophysiological measures of emotional reactivity.
Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 25, 223–247.

Eilola, T. M., Havelka, J., & Sharma, D. (2007). Emotional activation in the first and second language.
Cognition & Emotion, 21, 1064–1076.

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