Skip to main content
Log in

An approach to the problem of meaning: Semantic networks

  • Published:
Journal of Psycholinguistic Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An approach to the problem of meaning through the postulation of semantic networks is presented. Subjects generated them for ten concrete and ten abstract nouns with two different procedures. Comparisons were made between the semantic network and the set of associations given to each concept. Finally, both the concrete concepts' and the abstract concepts' networks were compared. It was suggested that a form of meaning is given by the semantic network of the concept, by a reconstructive memory process.

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

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, J. R. (1972). Fran: A simulation model of free recall. In Bower, G. H. (ed.),The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, Vol. 5, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett, F. C. (1932).Remembering: A Study in Experimental and Social Psychology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, A. M., and Quillian, M. R. (1969). Retrieval time for semantic memory.J. Verb. Learn. Verb. Behav. 8: 241–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, A. M., and Quillian, M. R. (1970). Experiments on semantic memory and language comprehension. In Gregg, L. W. (ed.),Cognition in Learning and Memory, Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hörmann, H. (1971).Psycholinguistics, Springer, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, N. F. (1965). Linguistic models and functional units of language behavior. In Rosenberg, S. (ed.),Directions in Psycholinguistics, Macmillan, New York, pp. 29–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsay, P. H., and Norman, D. A. (1972).Human Information Processing: An Introduction to Psychology, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neuvo Pequeño Larousse Ilustrado, 40th ed. (1963). Librarie Larousse, Paris.

  • Osgood, C. E., and Sebeok, T. A. (eds.) (1954). Psycholinguistics: A survey of theory and research problems.J. Abnorm. Soc. Psychol. 49: Suppl.

  • Rumelhart, D. E., Lindsay, P. H., and Norman, D. A. (1972). A process model for long term memory. In Tulving, E., and Donaldson, W. (eds.),Organization and Memory, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1957).Verbal Behavior, Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winograd, T. (1972). Understanding natural language.Cogn. Psychol. 3: 1–191.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Figueroa, J.G., González, E.G. & Solís, V.M. An approach to the problem of meaning: Semantic networks. J Psycholinguist Res 5, 107–115 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067252

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067252

Keywords

Navigation