The Semantic Distance Task: Quantifying Semantic Distance with Semantic Network Path Length

Autor/inn/en	Kenett, Yoed N.; Levi, Effi; Anaki, David; Faust, Miriam
Titel	The Semantic Distance Task: Quantifying Semantic Distance with Semantic Network Path Length
Quelle	In: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 43 (2017) 9, S.1470-1489 (20 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0278-7393
DOI	10.1037/xlm0000391
Schlagwörter	Semantics; Priming; Cognitive Processes; Language Processing; Reaction Time; Networks; Prediction; Computational Linguistics; Task Analysis; Recall (Psychology); Cues; Semitic Languages; Vocabulary Skills; Statistical Analysis; Handedness; Correlation; Web Sites; Electronic Publishing; Collaborative Writing; Computer Software; Individual Differences; Edinburgh Handedness Inventory + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Semantik; Cognitive process; Kognitiver Prozess; Sprachverarbeitung; Reaktionsvermögen; Vorhersage; Linguistics; Computerlinguistik; Aufgabenanalyse; Abberufung; Stichwort; Arabisch; Hebräisch; Aktiver Wortschatz; Statistische Analyse; Linkshändigkeit; Korrelation; Web-Design; Elektronisches Publizieren; Individueller Unterschied
Abstract	Semantic distance is a determining factor in cognitive processes, such as semantic priming, operating upon semantic memory. The main computational approach to compute semantic distance is through latent semantic analysis (LSA). However, objections have been raised against this approach, mainly in its failure at predicting semantic priming. We propose a novel approach to computing semantic distance, based on network science methodology. Path length in a semantic network represents the amount of steps needed to traverse from 1 word in the network to the other. We examine whether path length can be used as a measure of semantic distance, by investigating how path length affect performance in a semantic relatedness judgment task and recall from memory. Our results show a differential effect on performance: Up to 4 steps separating between word-pairs, participants exhibit an increase in reaction time (RT) and decrease in the percentage of word-pairs judged as related. From 4 steps onward, participants exhibit a significant decrease in RT and the word-pairs are dominantly judged as unrelated. Furthermore, we show that as path length between word-pairs increases, success in free- and cued-recall decreases. Finally, we demonstrate how our measure outperforms computational methods measuring semantic distance (LSA and positive pointwise mutual information) in predicting participants RT and subjective judgments of semantic strength. Thus, we provide a computational alternative to computing semantic distance. Furthermore, this approach addresses key issues in cognitive theory, namely the breadth of the spreading activation process and the effect of semantic distance on memory retrieval. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01