priming

n. Method used to determine whether one stimulus influences another. Typically, a prime word (e.g., table) influences the speed or reaction time at which one can access a related word, the target (e.g., chair). Priming facilitates cognitive processing for semantically related words. For example, a target word, table, is accessed faster after a related prime, chair, relative to an unrelated prime, shoe. Priming may also occur for words that are related in form such as overlapping sounds or letters. In some circumstances, form priming may actually inhibit target processing. Priming has implications for the organization of memory systems. – EGS