In search of gender neutrality: is singular 'they' a cognitively efficient substitute for generic 'he?'
Article Abstract:
Two reading-time experiments on grammatical gender neutrality were conducted to demonstrate that a singular 'they' is a cognitively efficient alternative for the generic 'he' or 'she,' especially when the antecedent is nonreferential. Results reveal that the increased use of singular 'they' is not generally a problem for readers. However, for few cases in which its use is a problem, delays in comprehension are due to the vagueness of using a nongendered pronoun for an antecedent whose gender is known.
Publication Name: Psychological Science
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0956-7976
Year: 1997
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Cataphoric devices in spoken discourse
Article Abstract:
Cataphoric devices are used by speakers to mark key words in conversations. Forward reference is facilitated by cataphoric devices, such as spoken stress and the indefinite article 'this,' that identify concepts likely to be brought up again later. Activation of the concepts marked by cataphoric devices is enhanced, whereas activation of previously mentioned concepts is suppressed. Cataphoric devices are counterparts to anaphoric devices used for backward reference.
Publication Name: Cognitive Psychology
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0010-0285
Year: 1995
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Reading skill and suppression revisited
Article Abstract:
More skilled and less skilled readers were compared for their ability to accept appropriate and inappropriate meanings of homonyms in two block trials. The trials were presented to determine the speed by which both meaning types were selected by the readers. More skilled readers responded more rapidly to inappropriate meanings than less skilled readers. However, no substantial difference was observed for their responses to appropriate meanings.
Publication Name: Psychological Science
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0956-7976
Year: 1995
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