Meyer, Schvaneveldt, and Ruddy report that semantic context has a larger effect on visually degraded words than on undegraded words. A series of four experiments were conducted to explore alternative explanations of this result. Using stimulus intensity instead of dot-pattern degradation, we found that semantic context interacts with intensity in two different word recognition tasks. In two other studies, we found that intensity and word-frequency effects are additive. Alternative models of the word recognition process are evaluated against these results.Meyer, Schvaneveldt, and Ruddy (1975) report two studies investigating the interaction of semantic context and stimulus degradation in visual word recognition. Their results show that semantic context speeds reaction time in both a lexical decision (word vs. nonword) task and a pronunciation task. In the latter, subjects are required to vocalize printed letter strings as quickly as possible. Degrading the stimulus by superimposing a dot pattern over the letters slows processing in both types of tasks. More importantly for Meyer et al., stimulus degradation has a smaller effect on the processing of words presented in a semantically appropriate context than on words presented out of context. To deal with this finding, Meyer et al. propose a general threecomponent model of the word recognition process that includes, first, a stage responsible for "stimulus encoding," second, a stage for "lexical memory retrieval," and third, a stage for "response execution." They assume that stimulus degradation affects onlyThe research reported here was conducted while the first author was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Oregon. We would like to thank the members of the Cognitive Laboratory for the use of their facilities and for their consultation and encouragement.Requests for reprints should be sent to Curtis A.

Stress is a multidimensional concept, manifesting its effects in multiple domains. Most clearly these effects appear in the physiological, cognitive, and emotional arenas. This article will provide an overview of (a) key factors contributing to this stress and (b) the range of U.S. Army basic research through advanced technology demonstrations, focusing on reducing these effects and/or otherwise enabling Soldiers to sustain performance under stress. The objective is to provide a context for the discussion of ways to enrich the technological options that can be applied to ameliorate or adapt to stress across the spectrum of missions that Soldiers perform.Today's Soldier is a truly unique, physically fit, and well-trained individual who, coupled with technological developments for the battlefield, is more capable than Soldiers of America's past. Soldiers today are expected to be multiskilled, cover-

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A skills maintenance and reacquisition training (Project SMART) research program has been developed to improve Air Force continuation flying training. Project SMART consists of four phases: 1. Preliminary evaluation of research concepts and procedures, 2. Identification and definition of critical flying skills and development of skill measures, 3. Evaluation of skill maintenance and reacquisition training program alternatives, and 4. Measurement of skill retention. The program is sponsored by Air Force Headquarters and is being accomplished by the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory with participation by the Strategic Air Command and the Tactical Air Command. Selected studies completed during Phases 1 and 2 are reported.