Word finding problems: a problem in lexical retrieval or must we also consider processing speed and cognitive interference?
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2023-02-03
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en
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Abstract
One of the most annoying cognitive problems among older adults is the inability to produce a
well-known word. These word-finding problems can be assessed by picture naming tests.
However, studies suggest that these tests, in some cases, have a low sensitivity for the
assessment of word-finding problems. Recently, research showed that to assess word-finding
problems, we might also have to consider processing speed and cognitive interference,
besides lexical retrieval. The present study presents a newly developed test that aims to assess
lexical retrieval while taking processing speed and cognitive interference into account. The
aim is to assess the construct validity of the newly developed test. The study included 30
participants, all of them healthy adults, ranging from the age of 20 to 62 years old. The test
administration consisted of 6 tasks, including the newly developed tasks: the Speeded Picture
Naming Task (SPNT) and the Interference Picture Naming Task (IPNT). Results showed one
significant correlation between the IPNT and the incongruent part of the Stroop Color-Word
test. For the other correlations no significant result was found. The findings suggest that if we
want to draw better conclusions about the quality of the construct validity, future research is
necessary. Furthermore, the scores of the SPNT were significantly higher than the scores of
the standardized picture naming test. Lastly, the findings show no effect of age, sex, and level
of education on the scores of the SPNT and the IPNT. While interpreting the results of the
current study, the limitations of the study must be kept in mind. Future research should study
the relation between retrieval, processing speed, and cognitive interference in greater detail.
When this is followed-through, the adjustments for the SPNT and the IPNT will be better
executed for them to become valid tests to use in clinical practice.
Keywords: word-finding problems, processing speed, lexical retrieval, cognitive
interference, construct validity
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen