How spatial is spatial language? Investigating the relationship between spatial cognition and abstract language processing
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2020-06-23
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Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the relationship between spatially grounded language and spatial cognition. According to embodied cognition, sensitivity to spatial grounding should be related to experience with spatial cognition. Participants completed three language tasks assessing their sensitivity to spatial grounding and three spatial tasks assessing different facets of spatial cognition. These language tasks were derived from previous studies that showed spatial grounding effects. Only of these effects was replicated; the presence of a mental number line. From each of the language tasks, a spatial grounding sensitivity score was calculated based on the difference in reaction times between incongruent and congruent trials. These sensitivity scores were then correlated to performance on the spatial tasks. The results showed almost no significant correlations between the language tasks and spatial tasks, even when looking at those individuals who were most highly sensitive to spatial grounding. Overall the results of this study do not support an embodied view of cognition.
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Hannah, J. A. (2020). How Spatial is Spatial Language? Investigating the Relationship Between Spatial Cognition and Abstract Language Processing (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.