Priming
Definition
Priming is a technique whereby exposure to one stimulus influences a response to a subsequent stimulus, without conscious guidance or intention.
Analogy
Consider priming like setting up dominoes. Once you knock down one (the prime), it triggers a chain reaction affecting how all subsequent dominoes fall (the responses).
Related terms
Implicit Memory: This type of memory involves recollection that does not require conscious thought—it's automatic and uses past experiences to remember things without thinking about them, much like priming.
Cognitive Bias: These are systematic errors in thinking that affect decisions and judgments we make. Priming can sometimes lead us into these biases by influencing our perceptions subconsciously.
Perceptual Set: A perceptual set is our readiness or expectation to perceive something in a particular way, which can be influenced by factors such as priming.
"Priming" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (4)
- In psychology, what does "priming" refer to?
- How does priming affect our implicit memories?
- How does priming influence retrieval?
- What best explains why priming, a form of implicit memory, would make it more likely for someone to recall a word that is semantically related?
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