the self-organization of a spoken word

Pronunciation time probability density and hazard functions from large speeded wordnaming data sets were assessed for empirical patterns consistent with multiplicative andreciprocal feedback dynamics—interaction dominant dynamics. Lognormal and inversepower-law distributions are associated with multiplicative and interdependent dynamicsin many natural systems. Mixtures of lognormal and inverse power-law distributionsoffered better descriptions of the participant’s distributions than the ex-Gaussian or ex-Wald—alternatives corresponding to additive, superposed, component processes. Theevidence for interaction dominant dynamics suggests fundamental links between theobserved coordinative synergies that support speech production and the shapes ofpronunciation time distributions.