Here Is a Lexical Decision Task in Which a Prime

Here is a lexical decision task in which a prime is presented very briefly, covered by a "mask," and then followed by a target word. What is the rationale for using this masked priming methodology?
Related Prime
Prime: NURSE (50 ms)
Mask: ##### (500 ms)
Target: DOCTOR
Unrelated Prime
Prime: WRENCH (50 ms)
Mask: ###### (500 ms)
Target: DOCTOR

A) It reduces the likelihood that participants will use a task-specific strategy of trying to think of words related to NURSE or WRENCH.
B) It increases the likelihood that participants will respond faster to DOCTOR when it is preceded by a related word, such as NURSE, than an unrelated word, like WRENCH.
C) It decreases the likelihood that participants will respond faster to DOCTOR when it is preceded by a related word, such as NURSE, than an unrelated word, like WRENCH.
D) It allows researchers to present the target stimulus at just the right time when a priming effect is most likely to occur.