Ian Cunnings

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0118 378 5538
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Associate Professor
- Programme Director for BSc Psychology and Language Sciences
- Programme Director for MSc Language Sciences
Areas of interest
- Psycholinguistics, in particular sentence and discourse comprehension and morphological processing
- Memory retrieval during language comprehension
- First and second language acquisition
- Multilingualism.
My main research focus at the moment investigates the working memory operations that subserve successful language comprehension.
Recent advances in our understanding of the memory encoding and retrieval mechanisms that support language processing have greatly increased our understanding of the difficulties that may be observed during language comprehension in different populations of speakers.
Much of my work investigates these issues from the perspective of monolingual and bilingual language comprehension.
Teaching
- Linguistics 2
- Language Processing (Speech and Language Therapy
Research centres and groups
Academic qualifications
- PhD in Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics, University of Essex
- MA in Psycholinguistics and Neurolinguistics, University of Essex
- BA (Hons) in English Language, University of Sussex.
Publications
- Cunnings, I. and Sturt, P. (2023) Illusions of plausibility in adjuncts and co-ordination. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience ISSN: 2327-3801 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23273798.2023.2235033
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Fujita, H.
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 (2023) Interference in quantifier float and subject-verb agreement. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience ISSN: 2327-3801 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23273798.2023.2189738
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Foraker, S.
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 , Martin, A. (2023) Speed-Accuracy tradeoff modelling and its interface with experimental syntax. In: Sprouse, J. , (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Experimental Syntax. Oxford Handbooks Oxford University Press , Oxford. pp. 363-392. ISBN: 9780198797722
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 and Fujita, H. (2023) Similarity-based interference and relative clauses in second language processing. Second Language Research , 39 (2). pp. 539-563. ISSN: 1477-0326 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/02676583211063534
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 (2022) Interference-based and capacity-based approaches to working memory in second language sentence processing. In: Leal, T. , Shimanskaya, E. , Isabelli, C. , (eds.) Generative SLA in the age of Minimalism: Features, interfaces, and beyond (Selected proceedings of the 15th Generative Approaches to Second Language Acquisition Conference). Language Acquisition and Language Disorders John Benjamins (67). pp. 243-264. ISBN: 9789027211446 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1075/lald.67.10cun
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 (2022) Working memory and L2 sentence processing. In: Schwieter, J. and Wen, Z. , (eds.) The Cambridge Handbook of Working Memory and Language. Cambridge University Press pp. 593-612. ISBN: 9781108955638 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781108955638.033
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Pontikas, G.
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 , Marinis, T. (2022) Online processing of which-questions in bilingual children: Evidence from eye-tracking. Journal of Child Language ISSN: 0305-0009 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0305000922000253
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Fujita, H.
and
Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 (2022) Interference and filler-gap dependency formation in native and non-native language comprehension. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory & Cognition , 48 (5). pp. 702-716. ISSN: 0278-7393 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/xlm0001134
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Cheng, Y.
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Rothman, J.
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 (2022) Determiner-number specification and non-local agreement computation in L1 and L2 processing. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research , 51 pp. 847-863. ISSN: 0090-6905 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10936-022-09864-w
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Cheng, Y.
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 , Miller, D. , Rothman, J. (2022) Double-number marking matters for both L1 and L2 processing of nonlocal agreement similarly: an ERP investigation. Studies in Second Language Acquisition , 44 (5). pp. 1309-1329. ISSN: 1470-1545 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0272263121000772
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Fujita, H.
and
Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 (2021) Reanalysis processes in non-native sentence comprehension. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , 24 (4). pp. 628-641. ISSN: 1469-1841 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1366728921000195
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Gonzalez Alonso, J.
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 , Fujita, H. , Miller, D. , Rothman, J. (2021) Gender attraction in sentence comprehension. Glossa: a journal of general linguistics , 6 (1). ISSN: 2397-1835 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5334/gjgl.1300
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Cheng, Y.
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Rothman, J.
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 (2021) Parsing preferences and individual differences in non-native sentence processing: evidence from eye-movements. Applied Psycholinguistics , 42 (1). pp. 129-151. ISSN: 0142-7164 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S014271642000065X
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Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 and Fujita, H. (2021) Quantifying individual differences in native and non-native sentence processing. Applied Psycholinguistics , 42 (3). pp. 579-599. ISSN: 1469-1817 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0142716420000648
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Fujita, H.
and
Cunnings, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-5318-0186 (2021) Lingering misinterpretation in native and non-native sentence processing: evidence from structural priming. Applied Psycholinguistics , 42 (2). pp. 475-504. ISSN: 1469-1817 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0142716420000351
- Fujita, H. and Cunnings, I. (2020) Reanalysis and lingering misinterpretation of linguistic dependencies in native and non-native sentence comprehension. Journal of Memory and Language , 115 ISSN: 0749-596X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jml.2020.104154
- Rothman, J. , Bayram, F. , Cunnings, I. , Gonzalez Alonso, J. (2019) Formal linguistics approaches to adult second language acquisition and processing. In: Schwieter, J. and Benati, A. , (eds.) The Cambridge Handbook of Language Learning. Cambridge University Press ISBN: 9781108333603 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781108333603
- Marinis, T. and Cunnings, I. (2018) Using psycholinguistic techniques in a second language teaching setting. In: Wright, C. , Piske, T. , Young-Scholten, M. , (eds.) Mind matters in SLA. Multilingual Matters , Bristol. pp. 185-202. ISBN: 9781788921626
- Puig-Mayenco, E. , Cunnings, I. , Bayram, F. , Miller, D. , Tubau, S. , Rothman, J. (2018) Language dominance affects early bilingual performance and processing outcomes in adulthood. Frontiers in Psychology , 9 ISSN: 1664-1078 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01199
- Cunnings, I. and Sturt, P. (2018) Coargumenthood and the processing of pronouns. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience , 33 (10). pp. 1235-1251. ISSN: 2327-3801 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23273798.2018.1465188
- Cunnings, I. and Sturt, P. (2018) Retrieval interference and semantic interpretation. Journal of Memory and Language , 102 pp. 16-27. ISSN: 0749-596X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jml.2018.05.001
- Cunnings, I. (2017) Interference in native and non-native sentence processing. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , 20 (4). pp. 712-721. ISSN: 1469-1841 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1366728916001243
- Cunnings, I. , Fotiadou, G. , Tsimpli, I. (2017) Anaphora resolution and reanalysis during L2 sentence processing: evidence from the visual world paradigm. Studies in Second Language Acquisition , 39 (4). pp. 621-652. ISSN: 1470-1545 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0272263116000292
- Boxell, O. , Felser, C. , Cunnings, I. (2017) Antecedent contained deletions in native and non-native sentence processing. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism , 7 (5). pp. 554-582. ISSN: 1879-9272 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1075/lab.15006.box
- Cunnings, I. (2017) Parsing and working memory in bilingual sentence processing. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , 20 (4). pp. 659-678. ISSN: 1469-1841 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1366728916000675
- Cunnings, I. and Finlayson, I. (2015) Mixed effects modelling and longitudinal data analysis. In: Plonsky, L. , (eds.) Advancing quantitative methods in second language research. Routledge , Abingdon. pp. 159-181. ISBN: 9780415718332
- Cunnings, I. , Patterson, C. , Felser, C. (2015) Structural constraints on pronoun binding and coreference: evidence from eye movements during reading. Frontiers in Psychology , 6 ISSN: 1664-1078 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00840
- Linck, J. and Cunnings, I. (2015) The utility and application of mixed-effects models in second language research. Language Learning , 65 (S1). pp. 185-207. ISSN: 1467-9922 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/lang.12117
- Cunnings, I. and Sturt, P. (2014) Coargumenthood and the processing of reflexives. Journal of Memory and Language , 75 pp. 117-139. ISSN: 0749-596X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jml.2014.05.006
- Cunnings, I. , Patterson, C. , Felser, C. (2014) Variable binding and coreference in sentence comprehension: evidence from eye movements. Journal of Memory and Language , 71 (1). pp. 39-59. ISSN: 0749-596X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jml.2013.10.001
- Clahsen, H. , Balkhair, L. , Schutter, J. , Cunnings, I. (2013) The time-course of morphological processing in a second language. Second Language Research , 29 (1). pp. 7-31. ISSN: 1477-0326 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0267658312464970
- Cunnings, I. and Felser, C. (2013) The role of working memory in the processing of reflexives. Language and Cognitive Processes , 28 (1-2). pp. 188-219. ISSN: 0169-0965 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01690965.2010.548391
- Cunnings, I. (2012) An overview of mixed-effects statistical models for second language researchers. Second Language Research , 28 (3). pp. 369-382. ISSN: 1477-0326 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0267658312443651
- Felser, C. and Cunnings, I. (2012) Processing reflexives in a second language: the timing of structural and discourse-level information. Applied Psycholinguistics , 33 (3). pp. 571-603. ISSN: 1469-1817 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0142716411000488
- Felser, C. , Cunnings, I. , Batterham, C. , Clahsen, H. (2012) The timing of island effects in nonnative sentence processing. Studies in Second Language Acquisition , 34 (1). pp. 67-98. ISSN: 1470-1545 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0272263111000507
- Cunnings, I. , Batterham, C. , Felser, C. , Clahsen, H. (2010) Constraints on L2 learners’ processing of wh- dependencies: evidence from eye-movements. In: VanPatten, B. and Jegerski, J. , (eds.) Research in Second Language Processing and Parsing. John Benjamins Publishing Company pp. 87-110. ISBN: 9789027253156
- Cunnings, I. and Clahsen, H. (2008) The time-course of morphological constraints: a study of plurals inside derived words. The Mental Lexicon , 3 (2). pp. 149-175. ISSN: 1871-1340 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1075/ml.3.2.01cun
- Cunnings, I. and Clahsen, H. (2007) The time-course of morphological constraints: Evidence from eye-movements during reading. Cognition , 104 (3). pp. 476-494. ISSN: 0010-0277 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2006.07.010