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Abstract

In line with two-stage models of memory, it has been proposed that memory traces for newly learned words are
initially dependent on medial temporal structures and acquire neocortical, more lexical representations during the first
night’s sleep after training (Davis & Gaskell, 2009). Only after sleep-dependent consolidation are novel words fully
integrated into the lexicon and are therefore able to enter into lexical competition with phonologically overlapping
existing words. This effect, observable as a slowing down of responses to existing words with a novel competitor, has
been demonstrated using various tasks including lexical decision, pause detection, semantic judgement, and wordspotting.