Improving Lexical Memory Access and Decision Making Processes Using Cognitive Word Games

Strengthening semantic and orthographic associations among words in a lexicon may help to improve memory processes related to fluent organizing and retrieval of language. In the present study, we examined how training in several different word games impacts later retrieval access for the words. Games included a word-stem completion task (orthographic), a free association task (semantic), and a crossword paradigm task (orthographic+semantic). A within-subject experiment was used to compare the relative effectiveness of these three training methods on a lexical association task performed prior to and following training. Results showed that the games were able to improve participants’ decision times, and the increased fluency in the lexical association task due to the free association task was greater than the other games. We will further apply and examine this study with non-native English speakers.