The Influence of Themed Images on Word Associations

Abstract

This study explores the influence of visual priming on linguistic choices and emotional context. Building on the concept of the PrimingTheory (Ratcliff & McKoon, 1988), which suggests that prior exposure to stimuli influences subsequent emotional responses, this research investigates how different visual primes, specifically, light and dark-themed images, affect the completion of fragmented words. The research methodology involves a between-subjects design with a total of 98 participants, aged 18-26, using two sets of images as independent variables-brighter themed images conveying positive emotions and darker-themed images with negative connotations. Participants engaged in word completion tasks through an online survey after providing electronic consent. After conducting an independent samples t-test, we found a significant statistical difference between the means and a medium effect size. This supports our hypothesis that participants exposed to brighter-themed images tend to create positively associated words and those exposed to darker-themed images tend to create words with negative connotations.