This volume investigates the intersection of cognitive psychology and linguistic theory, specifically focusing on how experimental methods can be applied to understand language processing. Joseph H. Danks and Sam Glucksberg, both established researchers in the field of cognitive psychology, synthesize existing experimental data to provide a framework for analyzing how humans produce and comprehend language. The text serves as an introduction to the methodologies used to measure linguistic performance under controlled conditions. It argues that language is a cognitive process that can be empirically studied through rigorous experimental design.

Experts recognize this volume as a foundational text for students and researchers entering the field of psycholinguistics. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for those with a background in cognitive science or linguistics.