Abstract
In a test of perceptual defense, 45 Ss first learned taboo-neutral, neutral-taboo, and neutral-neutral word pairs. In the recognition stage, 1 group received positive information, 1 group negative information, and a control group neutral information. Ss reported the paired-associate word for each projected word. Visual duration thresholds were obtained for each word. Analysis of variance on paired-associate learning showed significant differences in number of errors due to word-pair type (taboo-neutral, neutral-taboo, neutral-neutral; p < .001). Recognition thresholds were lower for taboo words used either as the stimulus or as the response than for neutral words (p < .05). Effects due to instructions were not significant. Thus, evidence for perceptual defense was not found.
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