Skip to main content

Alternative Coding of Concepts

  • Chapter
  • 268 Accesses

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASID,volume 42))

Abstract

Using the technique of priming on a matching paradigm (Exp. 1), and a sentence verification task (Exp. 2), we observed facilitation effects of either word primes (superordinate category noun or prototype noun) or sentence primes (reflecting perceptual or functional properties of the categories) on reaction times to pictures and words. Results showed that the representation activated by the category noun and by the prototype noun primes yielded similar facilitation effects. In addition, sentence primes reflecting functional information lowered reaction times to both pictures and words. However, sentences containing perceptual information only facilitated responses to pictures. Discussion of the results points to the recognition of images and propositions as two alternative codes for representing concepts, which are considered “cognitive states” in working memory rather than fixed entities of the long term store.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Arnheim, R. (1969). Visual thinking. University of California Press: Berkeley.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barsalou, L.W. (1983). Ad hoc categories. Memory and Cognition, 11, 211–227.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Glass, A.L., Millen, D.R., Beck, L.G. & Eddy, J.K. (1985). Representation of images in sentence verification. Journal of Memory and Language, 24, 442–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kelter, S., Grötzbach, H., Freiheit, R., Hohle, B., Wutzig, S. & Disch, E. (1984). Object identification: The mental representation of physical and conceptual attributes. Memory and Cognition, 12, 123–133.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kolers, P.A. & Brison, S.J. (1984). Commentary: On pictures, words, and their mental representation. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 23, 105–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Lenat, D.B. (1982). The nature of heuristics. Artificial Intelligence, 19, 189–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Medina, F.A. (1983). Prototipos y representaciones de categorias semanticas supraordenadas. Informes de Psicologia, 2, 173–194.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Newell, A. (1982). The knowledge level. Artificial Intelligence, 18, 87–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Paivio, A. (1986). Mental representations: A dual coding approach. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Potter, M.C., Valian, V.V., & Faulconer, B.A. (1977). Representation of a sentence and its pragmatic implications: Verbal, imagistic, or abstract ? Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 16, 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Rosch, E.H. (1975). Cognitive representations of semantic categories. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 104, 192–233.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Roth, E.M. & Shoben, E.J. (1983). The effect of context on the structure of categories. Cognitive Psychology, 15, 346–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Schank, R.C. (1982). Dynamic memory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Shoben, E.J. (1982). Semantic and lexical decision. In C.R. Puff (Ed.), Handbook of research methods in human memory and cognition. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1988 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Medina, F.A. (1988). Alternative Coding of Concepts. In: Denis, M., Engelkamp, J., Richardson, J.T.E. (eds) Cognitive and Neuropsychological Approaches to Mental Imagery. NATO ASI Series, vol 42. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1391-2_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1391-2_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-247-3659-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1391-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics