Attributive and relational processes in nominal combination

Abstract The dual process theory of nominal (noun–noun) combination posits a relational process, in which a relation between concepts is inferred, as well as an attributive process, in which a property of one concept is attributed to another. According to dual process theory, these attributive and relational processes occur in parallel. A relational theory claims instead that attributive and relational comprehension result from the same process, and assumes that relational comprehension will occur serially prior to attributive comprehension. Experiment 1 used a priming paradigm to test whether the relational and attributive processes occur serially or in parallel. Target combinations were more likely to be comprehended, and were comprehended more quickly, when preceded by a prime combination that used the same attribution or relation than when preceded by a prime combination that did not engage the same attributive or relational process. Critically, the patterns of facilitation and interference were virtually identical across the attributive and relational target-types, suggesting that the processes occur in parallel. Experiment 2 showed that particular attributes and relations were primed, rather than the attributive or the relational process more generally. Results of both experiments supported the dual process theory. The emergence of a general model of nominal combination is discussed.