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Perspectives on Abstract Concepts: Cognition, language and communication
Edited by Marianna Bolognesi and Gerard J. Steen
[Human Cognitive Processing 65] 2019
► pp. 17–42

Chapter 1
The relevance of specific semantic categories in investigating the neural bases of abstract and concrete semantics

Previous research has shown that modality-preferential sensorimotor areas are relevant for processing of words referring to concrete objects or actions. However, whether modality preferential areas also play a role for abstract words is still under debate. In this chapter we will argue that the apparent lack of empirical evidence for a grounding of abstract words stems, at least in part, from the treatment of abstract words as one monolithic semantic category, rather than taking into account specific abstract word types and sub-categories. We will review classical and recent empirical evidence from neuropsychological, neuroimaging and behavioral approaches and demonstrate the necessity of considering specific semantic meaning types when investigating a possible grounding of concrete and abstract concepts, for both theoretical and methodological reasons.

Keywords: abstract semantics, concrete semantics, grounding, semantic sub-categories
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Disembodied and grounded models of semantics
    • 2.1Disembodied approaches towards semantics
    • 2.2Grounded approaches towards language comprehension
    • 2.3Hebbian learning and neural cell assemblies
  • 3.Semantics in the brain
    • 3.1Investigations of category specific semantic processing
    • 3.2Investigations of temporal dynamics of sensorimotor involvement in processing semantics
    • 3.3Behavioral evidence for an interplay of sensorimotor and conceptual systems
    • 3.4Neurostimulation evidence
    • 3.5Patient evidence
      • 3.5.1Impairments of the motor system
  • 4.The issue of abstract concepts
    • 4.1Classical accounts to explain differences between abstract and concrete concepts
    • 4.2Previous investigations on abstract words
  • 5.Identifying different classes of abstract words
    • 5.1Abstract mathematical terms
    • 5.2Abstract emotion words
    • 5.3Abstract mental words
  • 6.Conclusion
  • References
Published online: 6 June 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.65.02dre
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