Word superiority effect

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Definition

The Word Superiority Effect states that letters are easier to recognize when they are contained in a word, compared to when they appear alone or are contained in a nonword.



Significance

The effect was demonstrated by G.M. Reicher (1969). This demonstration (pg. 64 textbook) showed that people recognized a letter more quickly and accurately when the letter was part of the original word, than when the letter was presented alone, or was part of a nonword. Letters in words are not processed letter by letter but that each letter is affected by its surroundings.

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