Empirical Correlates of Event Types - A priming study

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T ab le 8.1 : V erb st imu li, se t 1 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g le n gt h log fr eq fr ame fr eq 1 mor ir e ac h ch an ge die 6 2. 32 n o _obj 0. 81 obj 0 .12 rider e ac t body pr oc e ss lau g h 6 1. 89 n o _obj 0. 87 obj 0 .09 2 u scir e ac h mot ion go out 6 2. 5 n o _obj 0. 80 obj 0 .09 v olar e ac t mot ion fly 6 1. 75 n o _obj 0. 81 obj 0 .12 3 ca der e ac h mot ion fal l 6 2. 13 n o _obj 0. 67 obj 0 .21 fu mar e ac t con su mp tion smoke 6 1. 29 n o _obj 0. 69 obj 0 .24 4 ent rar e ac h mot ion go in 7 2. 47 n o _obj 0. 85 obj 0 .05 dor mir e ac t body pr oc e ss sleep 7 1. 91 n o _obj 0. 86 obj 0 .09 5 pa rtir e ac h mot ion leav e 7 2. 29 n o _obj 0. 84 obj 0 .09 pa rlar e ac t comm u n ic ation sp e a k / ta lk 7 2. 88 n o _obj 0. 89 obj 0 .05 6 sp ar a re ac h comp etition sh o ot 7 1. 8 n o _obj 0. 74 obj 0 .13 gioca re ac t comp etition play (game) 7 2. 33 n o _obj 0. 73

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T a bl e 8.1 : V erb st imu li, se t 1 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h log fr eq fr ame fr eq obj 0 .14 balzar e ach mot ion bounce / jump 7 0. 95 n o _obj 0. 78 obj 0 .07 dan za re ac t mot ion dan ce 7 0. 9 n o _obj 0. 74 obj 0 .16 sp ar ir e ach ch an ge v an ish 7 1. 65 n o _obj 0. 69 obj 0 .22 ballar e ac t mot ion dan ce 7 1. 37 n o _obj 0. 78 obj 0 .14 giung e re ach mot ion arr iv e / re a ch 8 2. 06 n o _obj 0. 79 obj 0 .09 inda gar e ac t communic ation inv est igat e 8 1. 54 n o _obj 0. 83 obj 0 .09 arr iv ar e ach mot ion arr iv e / re a ch 8 2. 83 n o _obj 0. 83 obj 0 .10 pian ger e ac t body pr oc e ss cr y 8 1. 76 n o _obj 0. 81 obj 0 .14 sbar car e ach mot ion disembar k 8 1. 07 n o _obj 0. 75 obj 0 .13 n av ig ar e ac t mot ion sail / cr uise 8 0. 96 n o _obj 0. 90 obj 0 .04 cr ol lar e ach mot ion coll a pse 8 1. 37 n o _obj 0. 58 obj 0 .33

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T ab le 8.1 : V erb st imu li, se t 1 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g le n gt h log fr eq fr ame fr eq soffi ar e ac t body pr oc e ss blo w 8 1. 14 n o _obj 0. 59 obj 0 .19 13 ritor nar e ac h mot ion ret u rn / g o back 9 1. 84 n o _obj 0. 83 obj 0 .09 sorr ider e ac t body pr oc e ss smile 9 1. 86 n o _obj 0. 85 obj 0 .11 14 scop piar e ac h ch an ge burst / exp lode 9 1. 61 n o _obj 0. 51 obj 0 .38 inseg nar e ac t comm u n ic ation te a ch 9 1. 82 n o _obj 0. 54 obj 0 .19 15 esploder e ac h ch an ge burst / exp lode 9 1. 59 n o _obj 0. 55 obj 0 .30 discuter e ac t comm u n ic ation discuss / ar gue 9 1. 9 n o _obj 0. 67 obj 0 .18 16 at terr ar e ac h mot ion land 9 0. 89 n o _obj 0. 78 obj 0 .10 ragionar e ac t cog nition reas o n 9 1. 19 n o _obj 0. 89 obj 0 .06 17 ap pr oda re ac h mot ion land / shor e 9 1. 3 n o _obj 0. 87 obj 0 .03 oscill a re ac t mot ion swi n g 9 0. 98 n o _obj 0. 90 obj 0 .04 18 rinunc ia re ac h possess ion giv e up 10 1. 93 n o _obj 0. 92

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T a bl e 8.1 : V erb st imu li, se t 1 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h log fr eq fr ame fr eq obj 0 .01 riflet ter e ac t cog nition refl e c t / p onder 10 1. 73 n o _obj 0. 72 obj 0 .18 sc o m par ir e ach ch an ge v an ish 10 1. 88 n o _obj 0. 74 obj 0 .18 pr otest ar e ac t social pr otest 10 1. 56 n o _obj 0. 86 obj 0 .09 int er v en ir e ach social int er v ene / step in 11 1. 95 n o _obj 0. 84 obj 0 .10 pa ssegg iar e ac t mot ion wal k / str ol l 11 1. 04 n o _obj 0. 90 obj 0 .03 pr ecipitar e ach mot ion plummet 11 1. 55 n o _obj 0. 73 obj 0 .14 pa rtec ip ar e ac t social take par t in 11 2. 06 n o _obj 0. 81 obj 0 .07 T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq legar e acc con tac t ti e 6 1. 96 no_obj 0 .32 obj 0 .23 not ar e ac h per cept io n n o tice 6 1. 91 no_obj 0 .38 obj 0 .24

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq cur a re act social lo ok a ft e r 6 1. 84 n o _obj 0. 30 obj 0 .46 te m e re st a emotion fe a r 6 1. 92 n o _obj 0. 31 obj 0 .28 cap ir e st aach cog nition u n derst and 6 2. 59 n o _obj 0. 48 obj 0 .24 2 legger e acc cog nition rea d 7 2. 31 n o _obj 0. 42 obj 0 .37 vi n cer e ac h comp etition wi n 7 2. 32 n o _obj 0. 52 obj 0 .36 suo n ar e act cr eation play (mu si c ) 7 1. 86 n o _obj 0. 62 obj 0 .26 cr eder e st a cog nition beli ev e 7 2. 55 n o _obj 0. 52 obj 0 .03 to c car e st aach con tac t touch 7 2. 18 n o _obj 0. 54 obj 0 .32 3 mont ar e acc cr eation assemb le 7 1. 51 n o _obj 0. 35 obj 0 .39 colpir e ac h con tac t hit 7 2. 14 n o _obj 0. 31 obj 0 .41 guidar e act mot ion lead / dr iv e 7 1. 96 n o _obj 0. 22 obj 0 .54 for mar e st a st ativ e con stit u te 7 2 n o _obj 0. 25 obj 0 .53

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq cop rir e st aach con tac t co v er 7 1. 82 no_obj 0 .25 obj 0 .52 sca v ar e acc con tac t dig 7 1. 35 no_obj 0 .67 obj 0 .18 butt ar e ac h con tac t thr o w 7 1. 79 no_obj 0 .43 obj 0 .27 can tar e ac t comm u n ic ation sing 7 1. 83 no_obj 0 .59 obj 0 .29 reg ger e st a con tac t bear / h ol d 7 1. 52 no_obj 0 .53 obj 0 .34 pr emer e st aach con tac t pr ess / p u sh 7 1. 31 no_obj 0 .73 obj 0 .18 cuocer e acc cr eation cook 7 1. 2 no_obj 0 .45 obj 0 .36 moll ar e ac h con tac t leav e / le t go 7 1. 27 no_obj 0 .58 obj 0 .32 ballar e ac t mot ion dan ce 7 1. 37 no_obj 0 .78 obj 0 .14 ador ar e st a emotion ador e / w orsh ip 7 1. 22 no_obj 0 .33 obj 0 .60 vi olar e st aach social vi olat e / br eak 7 1. 2 no_obj 0 .16 obj 0 .70 scr iv e re acc cr eation wr it e 8 2. 56 no_obj 0 .55 obj 0 .25

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq decider e ac h cog nition decide 8 2. 53 n o _obj 0. 31 obj 0 .14 lav or a re act social wo rk 8 2. 45 n o _obj 0. 90 obj 0 .04 impedir e st a social pr ev ent 8 1. 92 n o _obj 0. 16 obj 0 .29 riv elar e st aach per cept io n rev eal 8 2. 1 n o _obj 0. 36 obj 0 .30 7 impar ar e acc cog nition le a rn 8 2. 02 n o _obj 0. 71 obj 0 .17 ch iu der e ac h con tac t close / lock 8 2. 27 n o _obj 0. 46 obj 0 .32 man giar e act con su mp tion eat 8 2. 06 n o _obj 0. 58 obj 0 .28 soff rir e st a emotion suff e r 8 1. 91 n o _obj 0. 77 obj 0 .15 li m it ar e st aach ch an ge li m it 8 1. 84 n o _obj 0. 63 obj 0 .21 8 st ampa re acc cr eation pr in t 8 1. 37 n o _obj 0. 27 obj 0 .42 cog lier e ac h possess ion pick / cat ch / seiz e 8 1. 68 n o _obj 0. 20 obj 0 .46 scuoter e act mot ion sh ake 8 1. 51 n o _obj 0. 17 obj 0 .65

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq ospit ar e st a st ativ e h o st / lodge 8 1. 7 no_obj 0 .19 obj 0 .58 indica re st aach comm u n ic ation sh o w / point 8 2. 09 no_obj 0 .22 obj 0 .42 esegui re acc cr eation per for m / carr y ou t 8 1. 75 no_obj 0 .22 obj 0 .51 bocc ia re ac h social flunk / rej ec t 8 1. 15 no_obj 0 .13 obj 0 .66 alle v ar e ac t cr eation br ee d 8 1. 1 no_obj 0 .20 obj 0 .51 amm ir ar e st a emotion adm ir e 8 1. 39 no_obj 0 .28 obj 0 .51 pr oi bir e st aach social ban / fo rbid 8 0. 93 no_obj 0 .19 obj 0 .36 cost rui re acc cr eation bui ld 9 2. 17 no_obj 0 .23 obj 0 .49 sc e g lier e ac h cog nition ch oo se 9 2. 37 no_obj 0 .28 obj 0 .43 asc o lt ar e ac t per cept io n li st en 9 2. 05 no_obj 0 .27 obj 0 .52 pr ev eder e st a cog nition for esee / sch edu le 9 2. 28 no_obj 0 .23 obj 0 .40 con o scer e st aach cog nition kn o w / get to kno w 9 2. 54 no_obj 0 .25

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq obj 0 .57 11 pr epar ar e acc cr eation pr epar e / set up 9 2. 12 n o _obj 0. 33 obj 0 .36 ac cett ar e ac h cog nition ac cept 9 2. 19 n o _obj 0. 20 obj 0 .47 difen der e act comp etition def e n d 9 2. 05 n o _obj 0. 34 obj 0 .49 sost ener e st a comm u n ic ation claim / supp or t 9 2. 3 n o _obj 0. 36 obj 0 .25 st abil ir e st aach social esta bl ish / or da in 9 1. 97 n o _obj 0. 32 obj 0 .37 12 risolv er e acc cog nition solv e 9 2. 02 n o _obj 0. 27 obj 0 .56 st rap par e ac h con tac t te a r / tear up 9 1. 59 n o _obj 0. 20 obj 0 .31 impiegar e act con su mp tion use / emplo y 9 1. 52 n o _obj 0. 43 obj 0 .33 man ten er e st a possess ion keep / m aint ai n 9 2. 08 n o _obj 0. 20 obj 0 .51 ga ran ti re st aach comm u n ic ation guar ant ee 9 1. 95 n o _obj 0. 18 obj 0 .46 13 dipin ger e acc cr eation pa in t 9 1. 46 n o _obj 0. 42 obj 0 .33 sv eg liar e ac h body pr oc e ss wake u p 9 1. 49 n o _obj 0. 50

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq obj 0 .29 at ten der e ac t st ativ e wai t 9 2 no_obj 0 .41 obj 0 .28 giudi c ar e st a cog nition ju dg e 9 1. 91 no_obj 0 .40 obj 0 .29 ricor dar e st aach cog nition remin d / re m e m ber 9 2. 56 no_obj 0 .39 obj 0 .27 tr ac ciar e acc cr eation tr ac e / ou tl ine 9 1. 42 no_obj 0 .12 obj 0 .62 arr e star e ac h mot ion arr est / h alt 9 1. 83 no_obj 0 .18 obj 0 .50 celebr ar e ac t social celebr ate / h onou r 9 1. 61 no_obj 0 .28 obj 0 .43 poss e d e re st a possess ion o wn 9 1. 79 no_obj 0 .33 obj 0 .52 ricop rir e st aach con tac t coat / co v er 9 1. 4 no_obj 0 .16 obj 0 .52 disegn ar e acc cr eation dr aw 9 1. 63 no_obj 0 .23 obj 0 .51 ap pr o v ar e ac h cog nition ap pr o v e 9 1. 74 no_obj 0 .13 obj 0 .56 pr at ic ar e ac t social pr ac tise / per for m 9 1. 49 no_obj 0 .21 obj 0 .52 con ten er e st a st ativ e con tain / hold 9 1. 92 no_obj 0 .17

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq obj 0 .64 indoss ar e st aach con tac t put on / w ear 9 1. 73 n o _obj 0. 17 obj 0 .65 16 asc iugar e acc ch an ge dr y up 9 1. 08 n o _obj 0. 31 obj 0 .29 sca gli a re ac h mot ion fling 9 0. 9 n o _obj 0. 45 obj 0 .28 picc hiar e act con tac t hit / beat 9 1. 3 n o _obj 0. 49 obj 0 .33 invidi a re st a emotion envy 9 0. 94 n o _obj 0. 54 obj 0 .31 per cepir e st aach per cept io n per ceiv e 9 1. 22 n o _obj 0. 27 obj 0 .43 17 elabor a re acc cr eation pr ocess 9 1. 3 n o _obj 0. 16 obj 0 .59 er edit ar e ac h possess ion inh er it 9 1. 08 n o _obj 0. 24 obj 0 .47 inseg u ir e act mot ion ch ase 9 1. 45 n o _obj 0. 29 obj 0 .51 custodir e st a possess ion keep / look af ter 9 0. 97 n o _obj 0. 31 obj 0 .43 avv ol g er e st aach con tac t wr ap 9 1. 4 n o _obj 0. 31 obj 0 .35 18 all est ir e acc cr eation pr epar e / set up 9 1. 18 n o _obj 0. 17

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq obj 0 .50 con cepir e ac h cog nition con ceiv e 9 1. 12 no_obj 0 .19 obj 0 .47 coltiv ar e ac t cr eation cul tiv at e / gr o w 9 1. 33 no_obj 0 .20 obj 0 .59 tolle rar e st a con tac t bear 9 1. 04 no_obj 0 .25 obj 0 .50 inc luder e st aach st ativ e inc lude 9 1. 22 no_obj 0 .22 obj 0 .42 fo rmu lar e acc comm u n ic ation fo rmu lat e 9 1. 07 no_obj 0 .15 obj 0 .55 aff err ar e ac h con tac t gr asp 9 1. 4 no_obj 0 .25 obj 0 .53 sf ru tta re ac t con su mp tion exploit 9 1. 45 no_obj 0 .16 obj 0 .61 det e star e st a emotion loath e 9 0. 97 no_obj 0 .31 obj 0 .58 impugn ar e st aach con tac t clasp / hold 9 0. 95 no_obj 0 .12 obj 0 .67 dimost rar e acc cog nition pr o v e 10 2. 23 no_obj 0 .28 obj 0 .28 con clu der e ac h cog nition con clu de 10 2. 12 no_obj 0 .58 obj 0 .24 comm e n ta re ac t comm u n ic ation comm e n t / not ic e 10 1. 88 no_obj 0 .55

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq obj 0 .33 desider ar e st a emotion wi sh / desir e 10 1. 71 n o _obj 0. 61 obj 0 .21 assicur ar e st aach comm u n ic ation assur e / en su re 10 1. 98 n o _obj 0. 31 obj 0 .25 21 pr ogett ar e acc cr eation plan / design 10 1. 27 n o _obj 0. 28 obj 0 .42 rest itui re ac h possess ion ret u rn 10 1. 58 n o _obj 0. 18 obj 0 .35 aliment ar e act con su mp tion fe ed / fuel 10 1. 4 n o _obj 0. 19 obj 0 .60 rispet ta re st a cog nition resp ect 10 1. 8 n o _obj 0. 22 obj 0 .67 cir conda re st aach con tac t sur rou n d 10 1. 7 n o _obj 0. 29 obj 0 .44 22 fabbr ica re acc cr eation cr eate / m anufac tur e 10 0. 96 n o _obj 0. 23 obj 0 .50 inf ra ng e re ac h social br e a ch / shat te r 10 0. 98 n o _obj 0. 26 obj 0 .58 dist u rbar e act emotion an no y / bot her 10 1. 23 n o _obj 0. 33 obj 0 .54 sopp or ta re st a con tac t bear 10 1. 57 n o _obj 0. 26 obj 0 .56 il lu m in ar e st aach per cept io n enligh ten / lig ht u p 10 1. 44 n o _obj 0. 35

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T a bl e 8.2 : V erb stimu li, set 2 v erb ev ent type sem c at mean in g lengt h lo g fr eq fr am e fr eq obj 0 .43 or g anizz ar e acc cr eation or g anise 11 2. 03 no_obj 0 .22 obj 0 .49 con q uistar e ac h possess ion con q uer 11 1. 87 no_obj 0 .17 obj 0 .56 fr equ ent ar e ac t social at ten d 11 1. 79 no_obj 0 .24 obj 0 .60 con div ider e st a possess ion sh ar e 11 1. 5 no_obj 0 .20 obj 0 .56 comp ren der e st aach cog nition u n derst and 11 2. 16 no_obj 0 .29 obj 0 .49 pr edisporr e acc cr eation arr ang e 11 1. 12 no_obj 0 .18 obj 0 .54 ing hiott ir e ac h con su mp tion swal lo w 11 0. 96 no_obj 0 .29 obj 0 .44 con temp lar e ac t per cept io n ga ze 11 0. 96 no_obj 0 .22 obj 0 .54 rimpian ger e st a emotion reg ret 11 1 no_obj 0 .33 obj 0 .52 autor izz ar e st aach social ent itle / auth o ri ze 11 1. 3 no_obj 0 .21 obj 0 .38

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ments per each verb in set 2, after pre-test 1 and 2

verb type arg arg length log freq plaus

1 legare obj il cane 7 1.85 6.4

subj il bibliotecario 16 -0.11 3.35

notare obj la foto 7 1.87 4

curare obj le rose 7 1.67 5.5

temere obj il buio 7 1.43 5.5

capire obj la tesi 7 1.52 4.05

2 leggere obj il contratto 12 1.87 5.85

vincere obj la scommessa 12 1.08 6.9

suonare obj il sassofono 12 1.81 6.6

credere obj all’oroscopo 12 0.47 6

toccare obj il pavimento 12 1.33 6.3

subj il bibliotecario 16 -0.11 4

3 montare obj un gioco 8 2.36 4.1

subj l’artigiano 11 1.05 5.35

colpire obj un ragno 8 0.71 3.65

guidare obj un carro 8 1.17 4.35

formare obj una fila 8 1.75 5.45

coprire obj una buca 8 0.71 5.95

4 scavare obj il pozzo 8 0.81 4.95

subj l’attore 8 1.09 1.85

buttare obj la corda 8 1.23 4.2

cantare obj le gesta 8 -0.82 6.35

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reggere obj la borsa 8 1.74 5.45

premere obj il tasto 8 0.61 6.4

5 cuocere obj la frittata 11 0.55 5.4

subj l’attrice 9 1.72 3.4

mollare obj la famiglia 11 -0.25 5.2

ballare obj il flamenco 11 -0.04 6.45

adorare obj la montagna 11 1.85 5.7

violare obj gli accordi 11 2.04 6.25

6 scrivere obj il racconto 11 1.81 6.05

subj la poliziotta 13 -0.35 3.75

decidere obj il rilascio 11 0.42 5.15

lavorare obj la ceramica 11 0.87 5.35

impedire obj la consegna 11 1.18 4.95

rivelare obj il progetto 11 2.22 5.1

7 imparare obj la lezione 10 1.66 6

subj il pittore 10 1.2 4.35

chiudere obj la scatola 10 1.41 6.75

mangiare obj le fragole 10 0.61 6.65

soffrire obj di diabete 10 0.37 6.6

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cogliere obj il fiore 8 1.97 6.3

subj il maestro 10 1.79 4.65

scuotere obj la testa 8 2.36 6.75

ospitare obj la donna 8 2.75 5.65

indicare obj il cielo 8 1.85 6.1

9 eseguire obj gli ordini 10 2.24 6.85

subj il sacerdote 12 1.35 3.4

bocciare obj lo scolaro 10 0.32 6.3

allevare obj il segugio 10 -0.7 4.95

ammirare obj il collega 10 1.94 5.55

proibire obj la tortura 10 0.97 6.05

10 costruire obj la barca 8 1.59 5.6

subj l’architetto 12 1.4 3.3

scegliere obj il disco 8 1.59 5.35

ascoltare obj la radio 8 1.6 6.75

prevedere obj la crisi 8 2.21 5.95

conoscere obj i vicini 8 1.45 6.1

11 preparare obj la tavola 9 1.7 6

accettare obj l’accordo 9 2.04 5.5

difendere obj la moglie 9 2.36 5.7

sostenere obj i diritti 9 1.99 6.15

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stabilire obj le regole 9 2.1 6.6

12 risolvere obj il problema 11 2.69 6.6

subj l’imprenditore 14 1.71 5.4

strappare obj la tovaglia 11 0.74 5.45

impiegare obj i materiali 11 2.18 6.05

mantenere obj la promessa 11 1.61 7

garantire obj la pensione 11 1.73 5.25

13 dipingere obj il ritratto 11 1.41 6.45

subj il giornalista 14 2.08 3.85

svegliare obj il portiere 11 1.32 5.55

attendere obj il verdetto 11 0.97 6.6

giudicare obj il discorso 11 2 4.45

ricordare obj la promessa 11 1.61 6.15

14 tracciare obj il contorno 11 1.07 5.65

subj il commissario 14 1.54 4.5

arrestare obj il mandante 11 0.61 6.2

celebrare obj la scoperta 11 1.72 4.35

possedere obj il brevetto 11 0.32 5.75

ricoprire obj la poltrona 11 1.57 4.1

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praticare obj il pugilato 11 0.16 6.1

subj il regista 10 1.91 3

contenere obj le proteste 11 1.69 5.4

subj il regista 10 1.91 4.1

indossare obj il cappotto 11 0.92 6.55

subj il regista 10 1.91 4.55

16 asciugare obj le posate 9 0.43 6.4

subj l’attore 8 1.09 3

scagliare obj la lancia 9 0.77 5.1

picchiare obj la moglie 9 2.36 6.2

invidiare obj il vicino 9 1.45 6.6

percepire obj il rumore 9 1.64 5.95

17 elaborare obj la teoria 9 1.62 5.3

subj l’investigatore 15 1.28 5.7

ereditare obj il denaro 9 1.92 5.8

inseguire obj la moglie 9 2.36 4.2

custodire obj il tesoro 9 1.58 6.65

avvolgere obj il panino 9 0.81 5.4

18 allestire obj la mostra 9 1.81 6.75

subj il cuoco 8 0.93 2.9

concepire obj la teoria 9 1.62 5.1

coltivare obj la pianta 9 1.73 5.75

tollerare obj le offese 9 0.87 6.2

includere obj il prezzo 9 2.15 4.55

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19 formulare obj una risposta 12 2.27 4.9

subj il negoziante 13 0.77 3.75

afferrare obj un cucchiaio 12 1.23 4.7

sfruttare obj un minorenne 12 0.78 6.5

detestare obj un immigrato 12 1.18 4.55

impugnare obj un cavatappi 12 -2 4.15

20 dimostrare obj il teorema 10 0.32 6.75

subj lo studente 11 1.79 6.7

concludere obj la lettera 10 2.2 5.35

commentare obj le notizie 10 2.14 6.25

desiderare obj le vacanze 10 1.89 5.75

assicurare obj l’alloggio 10 1.25 5.15

21 progettare obj la gita 7 1.02 5.15

subj il commissario 14 1.54 3

restituire obj la foto 7 1.87 4.55

alimentare obj l’ansia 7 1.5 5.5

rispettare obj le idee 7 2.43 6.15

circondare obj la casa 7 2.87 5.45

22 fabbricare obj lo sgabello 11 0.87 4.95

subj l’artista 9 1.81 4.7

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sopportare obj gli insulti 11 1.13 6.3

illuminare obj il percorso 11 1.63 5.3

organizzare obj le vacanze 10 1.89 6.35

subj l’impiegato 11 1.53 5.65

23 conquistare obj la ragazza 10 2.33 6.2

frequentare obj le lezioni 10 1.66 6.3

condividere obj l’alloggio 10 1.84 6.15

comprendere obj l’angoscia 10 1.46 4.85

subj l’impiegato 11 1.53 4

24 predisporre obj l’orchestra 11 1.43 3.75

subj il soprano 10 0.08 3.8

inghiottire obj lo sciroppo 11 0.03 4.15

contemplare obj il panorama 11 1.23 6.55

rimpiangere obj la gioventù 11 1.05 6.15

autorizzare obj la ristampa 11 -0.43 5.75

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T able 8.4 : S timul i li st s A, B an d C (exper imen t 1 a nd exper -iment 2 ); in exp e riment 2 ro w s of Xs w er e used as n e utr al pr im e s ta rget ta rg e t’ s ET simil a r p rime opp o si te pr ime n e utr al pr ime mor ir e A CH arr iv ar e rider e st er eta re cad er e A CH esploder e fu mar e st er eta re spa rar e A CH ap pr oda re inseg nar e remp el a re sp ar ir e A CH cr ol lar e ballar e remp el a re ent rar e A CH scomp ar ir e dor mir e rosp adar e balzar e A CH scomp ar ir e gioca re rosp adar e sbar car e A CH cr ol lar e inseg nar e remp el a re sc o p piar e A CH u scir e gioca re bar tega re rinunc iar e A CH arr iv ar e fu mar e st er eta re e un rag no A CH con clu der e la lett er a fr eq uent ar e le le zioni por enar e af sot lier e il disco A CH moll ar e la famig lia fr eq uent ar e le le zioni por enar e af sot ar e il d e n ar o A CH n o tar e la foto guidar e un c arr o got ana re ar a muga e la sc ommessa A CH moll ar e la famig lia suo n ar e il sassof ono remb ar e et o sp efo liar e il por ti er e A CH cog lier e il fi or e guidar e un c arr o got ana re ar a muga o v ar e il bi lan cio A CH sc agli a re la la ncia at ten der e il v er dett o remb ar e et o sp efo e la rag azz a A CH inf ra ng e re lo sp ecch io at ten der e il v er dett o letena re te g ant e un cucc hiaio A CH n o tar e la foto sf ru tta re u n minor e n n e got ana re ar a muga ir e lo sc ir oppo A CH sc agli a re la la ncia con temp lar e il p anor ama por enar e af sot v olar e A CT inseg nar e ap pr oda re scoma lar e pa rlar e A CT dor mir e u scir e mer tan ar e soffi ar e A CT dor mir e cr ol lar e mer tan ar e

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T able 8.4 : S timul i li st s A, B an d C (exper imen t 1 a nd exper -iment 2 ); in exp e riment 2 ro w s of Xs w er e used as n e utr al pr im e s tar g e t ta rget ’s ET simil a r p rime opp o si te pr ime n e utr al pr ime pian ger e A CT ballar e arr iv ar e bar tega re ragionar e A CT ballar e esploder e bar tega re oscill a re A CT giocar e u scir e mer tan ar e discuter e A CT fumar e esploder e rosp adar e pr otest ar e A CT rider e scomp ar ir e scoma lar e pa ssegg iar e A CT rider e ap pr oda re scoma lar e cur a re le rose A CT suo n ar e il sassof ono n o tar e la foto fa benar e af tr ugo scuoter e la testa A CT at ten der e il v er dett o inf ra ng e re lo sp ecch io to n gar e fe c lor ta asc o lt ar e la radio A CT sf ru tta re u n minor e n ne inf ra ng e re lo sp ecch io fa benar e af tr ugo inseg u ir e la moglie A CT cog lier e il fi or e con clu der e la lett er a letena re te g ant e picc hiar e la mog lie A CT con temp la re il p anor ama sc agli a re la la ncia to n gar e fe c lor ta ballar e il fl amenc o A CT sf ru tta re u n minor e n ne moll ar e la famig lia letena re te g ant e commen ta re le n otizi e A CT guidar e un c arr o cog lier e il fi or e fa benar e af tr ugo pr at ic ar e il pugil at o A CT con temp la re il p anor ama cog lier e il fi or e to n gar e fe c lor ta dist u rbar e il con cer to A CT fr equ ent ar e le le zioni con clu der e la lett er a remb ar e et o sp efo T ab le 8.5 : S ti m u li lists D , E a nd F (exper imen t 1) tar g e t tar g e t’ s ET simil a r p rime opp o si te pr ime n e utr al pr ime u scir e A CH scop piar e pian ger e st e retar e balzar e A CH scop piar e pr otest ar e rosp adar e

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T ab le 8.5 : S ti m u li lists D , E a nd F (exper imen t 1) tar g e t tar g e t’ s ET simil a r p rime opp o si te pr ime n e utr al pr ime sbar car e A CH spa ra re pian ger e rem pel a re cr ol lar e A CH spa ra re soffi ar e rem pel a re arr iv ar e A CH scop piar e pian ger e st e reta re ap pr odar e A CH spa ra re soffi ar e rem pel a re esploder e A CH cad er e pr otest ar e rosp adar e scomp ar ir e A CH cad er e pr otest ar e rosp adar e rinunc iar e A CH cad er e soffi ar e st e reta re n o tar e la foto A CH colpir e un ragn o cur ar e le rose por enar e af sot ro cog lier e il fior e A CH sv eg liar e il por ti er e ballar e il flamenc o remb ar e et o sp efo sc e g lier e il disco A CH colpir e un ragn o picc hiar e la mog lie por enar e af sot ro er edit ar e il d e n ar o A CH sv eg liar e il por ti er e ballar e il flamenc o got ana re ar a muga sc agli a re la la ncia A CH con q uistar e la rag azz a picc hiar e la mog lie remb ar e et o sp efo moll ar e la famig lia A CH sv eg liar e il por ti er e ballar e il flamenc o got ana re ar a muga con clu der e la lett er a A CH colpir e un ragn o cur ar e le rose por enar e af sot ro ap pr o v ar e il bil an cio A CH con q uistar e la rag azz a cur ar e le rose remb ar e et o sp efo ra ng e re lo sp ecch io A CH con q uistar e la rag azz a picc hiar e la mog lie fa benar e af tr ugo fu mar e A CT discuter e ent rar e scoma lar e rider e A CT oscill a re mor ir e bar tega re giocar e A CT oscill a re sp ar ir e mer tan ar e pa rlar e A CT oscill a re sp ar ir e mer tan ar e dor mir e A CT v olar e ent rar e scoma lar e ballar e A CT discuter e sp ar ir e mer tan ar e inseg nar e A CT v olar e mor ir e bar tega re ragionar e A CT v olar e ent rar e bar tega re

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T ab le 8.5 : S ti m u li lists D , E a nd F (exper imen t 1) tar g e t tar g e t’ s ET simil a r p rime opp o si te pr ime n e utr al pr ime pa ssegg iar e A CT discuter e mor ir e scoma lar e guidar e un c arr o A CT comm e n ta re le n otizi e aff err ar e un cucc hiaio letena re te g ant e asc o lt ar e la radio A CT scuoter e la testa ing hiott ir e lo sc ir oppo fabenar e af tr ugo inseg u ir e la moglie A CT comm e n ta re le n otizi e aff err ar e un cucc hiaio letena re te g ant e suo n ar e il sassof ono A CT comm e n ta re le n otizi e vi n cer e la sc ommessa ton gar e fe c lor ta at ten der e il v er dett o A CT scuoter e la testa vi n cer e la sc ommessa ton gar e fe c lor ta pr at ic ar e il pu g il at o A CT dist u rbar e il con cer to vi n cer e la sc ommessa ton gar e fe c lor ta fr equ ent ar e le le zioni A CT dist u rbar e il con cer to ing hiott ir e lo sc ir oppo got ana re ar a muga sf ru tta re u n minor enn e A CT dist u rbar e il con cer to aff err ar e un cucc hiaio letena re te g ant e con temp lar e il p anor ama A CT scuoter e la testa ing hiott ir e lo sc ir oppo fabenar e af tr ugo T a bl e 8.6 : S ti m u li lists for exper imen t 3 tar g e t tar g e t’ s ET simil a r p rime opp o si te pr ime esploder e A CH u scir e v olar e mor ir e A CH arr iv ar e soffi ar e ap pr oda re A CH sc o p piar e pr otest ar e ca der e A CH scomp ar ir e inseg nar e sp ar ir e A CH cr ol lar e pian ger e ent rar e A CH cr ol lar e pian ger e sp ar a re A CH u scir e v olar e moll a re la fam ig lia A CH ap pr o v ar e il bil an cio pr at ic ar e il pugil at o ing hiott ir e lo sc ir oppo A CH sca gli a re la la ncia inseg u ir e la moglie

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T a bl e 8.6 : S ti m u li lists for exper imen t 3 tar g e t tar g e t’ s ET simil a r p rime opp o si te pr ime vi n cer e la sc ommessa A CH inf ra ng e re lo sp ecch io fr equ ent ar e le le zioni aff err ar e un cucc hiaio A CH con q uistar e la rag azz a asc o lt ar e la radio colpir e un rag no A CH er edit ar e il d e n ar o commen ta re le n otizi e cog lier e il fi or e A CH not ar e la foto cur a re le rose sv eg liar e il por ti er e A CH inf ra ng e re lo sp ecch io fr equ ent ar e le le zioni oscill ar e A CT pian ger e cr ol lar e giocar e A CT soffi ar e arr iv ar e discuter e A CT v olar e uscir e rider e A CT soffi ar e arr iv ar e dor mir e A CT inseg nar e sc o m par ir e ballar e A CT pr otest ar e scop piar e fu mar e A CT pr otest ar e scop piar e scuoter e la testa A CT inseg u ir e la moglie sca gli a re la la ncia suo n ar e il sassof ono A CT comm e n ta re le n otizi e er edit ar e il d e n ar o ballar e il flamenc o A CT cur a re le rose n o tar e la foto at ten der e il v er dett o A CT pr at ic ar e il pu g il at o ap pr o v ar e il bil an cio sf ru tta re u n minor e n n e A CT comm e n ta re le n otizi e er edit ar e il d e n ar o con temp lar e il p anor ama A CT asc ol tar e la radio con q uistar e la rag azz a guidar e un c arr o A CT fr equ ent ar e le le zioni inf ra ng e re lo sp ecch io

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I want to thank Alessandro Lenci and Valentina Bambini for giving me appre-ciated and useful advice (no festive day was really a festive day for them); Pier Marco Bertinetto, Irene Ricci and the Laboratorio di Linguistica of the Scuola Normale Superiore, for having allowed me the use of the laboratory while con-ducting my experiments, as well as for providing the necessary funding; Berry Claus and Oliver Bott, for their precious help in retrieving an appropriate bibli-ography on the topic; Maria Cristina Prati and Matteo Dell’Omodarme, for their providential course on statistics and their help with my data analysis; Florida Nicolai, for having read and commented on this thesis work; and the Scuola Normale Superiore, where I have lived and studied for five years.

And then a special thanks is due to my family, in particular for their effort to provide me with an internet connection even in the most remote corners of Sicily and for having had patience with me when I was upset; to Mike, for his important help concerning both my life and my English skills; to the best problem-solvers ever (Vincenzo, Diego, Gabriella and Giovanni), because I wouldn’t solve any-thing without them and I will always have questions for them; to my friends in Palermo (Laura, Gianfilippo, Chiara, Monica, Marta and Francesco above all) and in Pisa (Andrea, Raffaele, Jack, Martina, Biagio, Maria, Arianna, Marione, Sara, and many others), for their constant affection and help; to everyone who volunteered in the experiments and to the ones who helped in searching for test subjects; to the Erasmus gang of Saarbrucken 2008, the Coli students and the other friends I met in Germany, for having been my little family when I was there.

Of course I should thank more people than that, but what’s the use of an ac-knowledgements page, if it gets too long and nobody bothers to read it?