Words as social tools: Language, sociality and inner grounding in abstract concepts
The paper introduces a new perspective on abstract concepts (eg “freedom”) and their
associate words representation, the Words As social Tools (WAT) view. Traditional theories …
associate words representation, the Words As social Tools (WAT) view. Traditional theories …
The challenge of abstract concepts.
Abstract Abstract concepts (“freedom”) differ from concrete ones (“cat”), as they do not have
a bounded, identifiable, and clearly perceivable referent. The way in which abstract …
a bounded, identifiable, and clearly perceivable referent. The way in which abstract …
Concreteness ratings for 40 thousand generally known English word lemmas
Concreteness ratings are presented for 37,058 English words and 2,896 two-word
expressions (such as zebra crossing and zoom in), obtained from over 4,000 participants by …
expressions (such as zebra crossing and zoom in), obtained from over 4,000 participants by …
Varieties of abstract concepts and their multiple dimensions
The issue of how abstract concepts are represented is widely debated. However, evidence
is controversial, also because different criteria were used to select abstract concepts–for …
is controversial, also because different criteria were used to select abstract concepts–for …
Above and beyond the concrete: The diverse representational substrates of the predictive brain
In recent years, scientists have increasingly taken to investigate the predictive nature of
cognition. We argue that prediction relies on abstraction, and thus theories of predictive …
cognition. We argue that prediction relies on abstraction, and thus theories of predictive …
Abstract semantics in the motor system?–An event-related fMRI study on passive reading of semantic word categories carrying abstract emotional and mental …
Previous research showed that modality-preferential sensorimotor areas are relevant for
processing concrete words used to speak about actions. However, whether modality …
processing concrete words used to speak about actions. However, whether modality …
The multifaceted abstract brain
Abstract concepts play a central role in human behaviour and constitute a critical component
of the human conceptual system. Here, we investigate the neural basis of four types of …
of the human conceptual system. Here, we investigate the neural basis of four types of …
What we mean when we say semantic: Toward a multidisciplinary semantic glossary
Tulving characterized semantic memory as a vast repository of meaning that underlies
language and many other cognitive processes. This perspective on lexical and conceptual …
language and many other cognitive processes. This perspective on lexical and conceptual …
[HTML][HTML] A future of words: Language and the challenge of abstract concepts
The paper outlines one of the most important challenges that embodied and grounded
theories need to face, ie, that to explain how abstract concepts (abstractness) are acquired …
theories need to face, ie, that to explain how abstract concepts (abstractness) are acquired …
Abstract concepts, language and sociality: from acquisition to inner speech
The problem of representation of abstract concepts, such as 'freedom'and 'justice', has
become particularly crucial in recent years, owing to the increased success of embodied and …
become particularly crucial in recent years, owing to the increased success of embodied and …