Becker, R. 1 , Knoeferle, P. 1 & Zwaan, R. 2
1 Center of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC), Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
2 Department of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Research on the comprehension of temporal order statements such as biclausal Bevor/Nachdem (‘Before’/‘After’) sentences is sparse and sometimes conflicting. Solidifying its base is important for examining both event structure and event ordering in cognition (e.g., with non-linguistic stimuli, Zacks, et al., 2007; Raisig et al. 2010) and language comprehension. Analyses of event-related brain potentials (ERPs) suggest event order cues (e.g., bevor vs. nachdem) are processed immediately, although Bevor sentences cue greater working memory demands to which HWM (but not LWM) readers are immediately sensitive (Münte et al., 1998). We revisited Münte et al.’s findings using eye tracking, allowing sentence (re-)reading (unlike ERPs with rapid serial presentation). Longer reading time is interpreted as indexing greater working memory demands. First-pass time analyses revealed temporal cue effects (elevated times for before than after). As in Münte et al., temporal cue effects appeared shortly after HWM (but not LWM) participants read Bevor versus Nachdem. Surprisingly, both HWM and LWM readers showed longer re-reading (second pass) post-conjunction in Bevor versus Nachdem sentences. Thus, on the second (but not first) sentence reading, both HWM and LWM readers were influenced by increased working memory demands, suggesting these two groups differ only initially in event order comprehension.