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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential (ERP) Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder

A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential (ERP) Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 12, 2018

Is there a semantic system for abstract words?

Tim Shallice¹, Richard P Cooper

¹Cognitive Neuroscience Sector, SISSA Trieste, Italy ; Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London London, UK.

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

|May 10, 2013

Summary

The study challenges feature-based and sensory reconstruction models for word meaning, proposing abstract word semantics involve complex mental states and structures. Brain evidence supports distinct processing for abstract concepts, implicating the left inferior frontal cortex.

Keywords:

abstract words concepts embodied cognition left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex semantics

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential (ERP) Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder

A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential (ERP) Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 12, 2018

Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Psycholinguistics
Neurobiology

Background:

Current semantic theories for concrete words focus on feature-based or sensory reconstruction models.
These models inadequately explain the representation of abstract words, which involve complex cognitive processes.
Abstract semantics require representing hypothetical states, entity binding, and recursive structures.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a novel framework for understanding the semantics of abstract words.
To investigate the neural underpinnings of abstract word representation.
To differentiate the cognitive and neural mechanisms for concrete versus abstract semantics.

Main Methods:

Theoretical argumentation against existing semantic models for abstract words.
Analysis of brain-based evidence, including dissociations in semantic deficits.
Review of neuroimaging studies to identify neural correlates.

Main Results:

Neither feature-based nor sensory reconstruction models can fully account for abstract word semantics.
Evidence shows distinct cognitive deficits for concrete and abstract semantic processing.
Neuroimaging data points to the left lateral inferior frontal cortex (IFG) in abstract word representation.

Conclusions:

Abstract word semantics necessitate a more complex representational system than currently proposed.
Distinct neural mechanisms support the processing of abstract concepts.
The left lateral IFG is a key region for abstract semantic representation.