400 • GlossaryLate closure In parsing, when a person encounters a new word, the parser assumes that this
word is part of the current phrase. (11)
Late selection model A model of selective attention that proposes that selection of stimuli for
final processing does not occur until after the information in the message has been analyzed
for meaning. (4)
Law of large numbers The larger the number of individuals that are randomly drawn from a
population, the more representative the resulting group will be of the entire population. (13)
Law(s) of familiarity, good continuation, good figure, perceptual organization, pragnanz, simi-
larity, simplicity See inverted entries (e.g., Familiarity, law of).
Levels of processing (LOP) Part of levels-of-processing theory that states that there are
different depths of processing that can be achieved as information is being encoded. See also
Depth of processing; Levels-of-processing theory. (7)
Levels-of-processing theory The idea that memory depends on how information is encoded,
with better memory being achieved when processing is deep than when processing is shal-
low. Deep processing involves attention to meaning and is associated with elaborative
rehearsal. Shallow processing involves repetition with little attention to meaning and is
associated with maintenance rehearsal. (7)
Lexical ambiguity When a word can have more than one meaning. For example, bug can
mean an insect, a listening device, or to annoy. (11)
Lexical decision task A procedure in which a person is asked to decide as quickly as possible
whether a particular stimulus is a word or a nonword. (9, 11)
Lexical priming Priming that involves the meaning of words. Typically occurs when a word is
followed by another word with a similar meaning—for example, when presenting the word
ant before the word bug causes a person to respond faster to the word bug than if ant had
not preceded it. (11)
Lexicon A person’s knowledge of what words mean, how they sound, and how they are used
in relation to other words. (11)
Light-from-above heuristic The assumption that light is coming from above. This heuristic can
influence how we perceive three- dimensional objects that are illuminated. (3)
Likelihood principle Part of Helmholtz’s theory of unconscious inference that states that we per-
ceive the object that is most likely to have caused the pattern of stimuli we have received. (3)
Localization of function Location of specific functions in specific areas of the brain. For
example, areas have been identified that are specialized to process information involved in
the perception of movement, form, speech, and different aspects of memory. (2)
Location-based attention Models of attention that propose that attention operates on what-
ever stimuli are at a particular location. This contrasts with object-based attention, in which
attention is focused on a particular object. (4)
Logic theorist Computer program devised by Alan Newell and Herbert Simon that was able
to solve logic problems. (1)
Long-term memory (LTM) A memory mechanism that can hold large amounts of informa-
tion for long periods of time. Long-term memory is one of the stages in the modal model of
memory. (6)
Long-term potentiation (LTP) The increased firing that occurs in a neuron due to prior activ-
ity at the synapse. (7)
Low-load task A task that uses few resources, leaving some capacity to handle other tasks. (4)
Low prototypicality A category member that does not closely resemble the category proto-
type. See also Prototypicality. (9)Maintenance rehearsal Rehearsal that involves repetition without any consideration of
meaning or making connections to other information. Compare to Elaborative rehearsal. (7)
Means-end analysis A problem-solving strategy that seeks to reduce the difference between
the initial and goal states. This is achieved by creating subgoals, intermediate states that are
closer to the goal. (12)
Medial temporal lobe (MTL) An area in the temporal lobe that consists of the hippocampus
and a number of surrounding structures. Damage to the MTL causes problems in forming
new long-term memories. (7)
Memory The processes involved in retaining, retrieving, and using information about stimuli,
images, events, ideas, and skills, after the original information is no longer present. (5)33559_14_glossary_p391-410.indd 40033559_14_glossary_p391-410.indd 400 13/04/10 5:47 PM13/04/10 5:47 PM
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