In this study, we wanted to investigate whether the processing
of semantic information is easier when mapping names to
pictures or is it the other way around. In order to test this
hypothesis, we ran a behavioural and an ERP (Event Related
Potential) study, with specific interest in the N400 component
as an indicator of semantic processing. We compared three
groups of participants who did a match/mismatch task with
the only difference being that the labels would appear before,
after or simultaneously with the pictures. Not surprisingly, the
hardest condition was the one where the two information were
presented simultaneously. The amplitude of the N400 was
more prominent in the condition where labels were presented
after the pictures in comparison to the condition where labels
preceded picture presentation, suggesting that this second
experimental situation led to smaller violation of expectation
for our participants (word to picture condition) in comparison
to mapping pictures to words.