ERP correlates of masked affective priming with emoticons
Emoticons seem to enrich computer-mediated communication by improving enjoyment, perceived richness and usefulness of information (Huang, Yen, & Zhang, 2008). Despite their extensive use over the last decades, the way emoticons affect subsequent emotional/cognitive processing is not fully understood. Here we conducted a masked priming experiment that explored the time course of the masked affective priming effect while recording event-related potentials. Type of prime (emoticon vs. word) and prime valence (positive vs. negative) were manipulated to assess their influence in the processing of positive/negative target words. Results showed a masked affective priming effect in early (N2) and l…
A multivariate approach to the feeding ecology of the Channel flounder, Syacium micrurum (Pisces, Pleuronectiformes), in Cape Verde, Eastern Atlantic
The feeding ecology of the Channel flounder, Syacium micrurum, from Cape Verde was studied in November 2003 and April 2004, using frequency of occurrence and percentage by number indices, as well as multivariate analyses. Overall, S. micrurum exhibited a generalist feeding strategy with a relatively broad niche width. Analyses indicated Crustacea (especially Brachyura) and Polychaeta as the dominant prey items, although other items, such as Foraminifera, Caridae or Actinopterigii, were preyed on more often or in larger quantities, depending on the sampling date. An ontogenetic shift in diet was also observed with smallsized individuals mostly consuming Crustacea, whereas medium- or large-si…
Psycholinguistic variables in visual word recognition and pronunciation of European Portuguese words: a mega-study approach
An increasing number of psycholinguistic studies have adopted a megastudy approach to explore the role that different variables play in the speed and/or accuracy with which words are recognised and/or pronounced in different languages. However, despite evidence for deep and shallow orthographies, little is known about the role that several orthographic, phonological and semantic variables play in visual word recognition and word production of words from intermediate-depth languages, as European Portuguese (EP). The current study aimed to overcome this gap, by collecting lexical decision and naming data for a large pool of words selected to closely represent the diversity of the EP language.…