Greater theta power to SW as compared to PW suggests its selective sensitivity to semantic retrieval since only the SW were associated with semantic representations. Our task comprised another level of response contingency, allowing us to further contrast the event-related theta power to SW and to imperative words in the context of a double-duty paradigm. In addition to detecting real words, the participants were asked to respond if a real word also denoted an animal. Both SW and AN conditions were associated with semantic representations and in both cases they required an active response. This contingency insured that both SW and AN words were evaluated on the semantic dimension since subjects had to retrieve the actual meaning of each word and compare it to the “animal lexicon.” Conversely, it is possible that they adopted a strategy of searching for members of the “animal category” before deciding whether a word is real or not. The overall RTs to SW and AN did not differ, but alcohol intoxication significantly increased response times, consistent with its effects on semantic retrieval. The AN accuracy
