Research Projects

Project overviews with links to related publications and conference presentations

Current Projects

Relations and Memory Organisation in Language

2021 – Present • University of Bristol

This project investigates how relational information (e.g., minimal relations between words) is processed automatically and how it supports memory organisation, including the phrase-superiority effect. We combine behavioural paradigms with frequency-tagging EEG to capture steady-state neural responses to relational structure.

Frequency-tagging EEG Behavioural Psycholinguistics Python / MNE

Related manuscripts

  • Hou, F., & Kazanina, N. Relational information leads to phrase-superiority memory. Manuscript in preparation.
  • Hou, F., Anderson, A., & Kazanina, N. Automatic processing of relational structure in language: A frequency-tagging EEG study of Chinese compounds. Manuscript in preparation.

Related conferences

Talk

Minimal relations lead to superior memory

Hou, F. & Kazanina, N.

Experimental Psychology Society Meeting, London, UK — Jan 2024

Poster

The information of relations leads to the phrase-superiority effect*

Hou, F. & Kazanina, N.

AMLaP Asia, Hong Kong — Dec 2023

Poster

Phrase-superiority effect and memory organisation

Hou, F. & Kazanina, N.

HSP 36, Pittsburgh (online) — Mar 2023

Past Projects

Second Language Acquisition: Visual Cues & Chinese Character Learning

2016 – 2022

Explored how visual features (radical marking, stroke-order animation) influence L2 learners’ acquisition of Chinese characters, using RT and ERP. Also examined analytic vs. holistic strategies in L2 Chinese word recognition.

ERP Reaction Time L2 Learning

Related publications

  • Hou, F., & Jiang, X. (2022). Interference effects of radical markings and stroke order animations on Chinese character learning among L2 learners. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. DOI
  • Jiang, N., Hou, F., & Jiang, X. (2020). Analytic versus holistic recognition of Chinese words among L2 learners. The Modern Language Journal, 104(3), 567–580. DOI

Related conferences

Talk

The influence of radical marking and stroke order animation on Chinese learning of L2 learners: Evidence from ERP studies

Hou, F., Jiang, X., & Qu, Q.

5th International Conference on Psycholinguistics, Chengdu, China — Oct 2019

Talk

The sentence processing of YOU structures by CSL speakers

Jiang, N., Hou, F., Jiang, X., & Hu, G.

ACTFL Convention, Washington, D.C., USA — Nov 2019

Talk

The influence of radical marking and stroke order animation on Chinese learning of L2 learners: Evidence from reaction time

Hou, F. & Jiang, X.

IC-SLP (Contemporary Foreign Language Studies), Harbin — Dec 2018

Talk

The influence of radical marking and stroke order animation on Chinese learning of L2 learners: Evidence from reaction time

Hou, F. & Jiang, X.

21st National Academic Congress of Psychology, Beijing — Nov 2018

Speech Perception & Production: Planning Units in Mandarin

2018 – 2020

Investigated phonological planning units (syllables vs. phonemes) in Mandarin spoken word production using ERP, informing how sub-lexical representations guide production planning in a tone language.

ERP Speech Production Mandarin

Related publication

  • Qu, Q., Chen, F., Hou, F., & Damian, M. (2020). Syllables and phonemes as planning units in Mandarin Chinese spoken word production: Evidence from ERPs. Neuropsychologia, 146, 107573. DOI