Does banana spontaneously activate yellow color? Color-related concepts help with color discrimination

Brunel Lionel [Université de Montpellier] Servajean Philippe [Not Université de Montpellier] Heurley Loïc [Université Paris X] Vermeulen, Nicolas [UCL]

Color is a critical part of objects representation as well as critical cue for re cognizing objects. However, it is less clear how people represent color in memory. The present study aimed at investigating this issue . We designed a procedure based on short - term sensory memory load procedure mixed with a color - priming paradigm. Participants learn ed three visual stimuli (either non - words – lexical load condition - or visual - shapes – visual - shape load condition). Then, they perform ed a color discrimination task on colored patch (e.g., a yellow patch) . Each target was preceded by a color - related concept word either congruent (e.g., word “banana”) or not (e.g., word “lettuce”). Finally, they performed a recognition task either on non - words or on visual - shapes depending on the memory load condition) . We showe d that color - priming effect was selectively disrupted in visual - shape load condition. We interpreted this finding as a n evidence that automatic modal simulations occur during access to the meaning of color – related concept.