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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
06:45
Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
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Moving beyond the distinction between concrete and abstract concepts
Lawrence W Barsalou1, Léo Dutriaux2, Christoph Scheepers2
1Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Glasgow, 58 Hillhead Street, Glasgow G12 8QB, UK lawrence.barsalou@glasgow.ac.uk.
Summary
Concepts are best understood as tools for action within specific situations, not abstract ideas. Understanding situated conceptualizations, or habitual patterns, is key to grasping how we process information and interact with the world.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Psychology
- Linguistics
Background:
- The situated conceptualization framework posits concepts serve to categorize situational elements for goal-directed action.
- Frequent co-occurring concepts form situated conceptualizations, influencing habitual cognitive processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the role of concepts within the situated conceptualization framework.
- To propose new distinctions for understanding concepts beyond the concrete-abstract dichotomy.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis based on the situated conceptualization framework.
- Examination of concept representation in relation to situational elements and integrations.
Main Results:
- The concrete-abstract distinction for concepts is deemed less useful than external/internal situational elements and situational elements/integrations.
- Concepts for situational elements arise from sensory-based neural networks, while integration concepts stem from association areas.
Conclusions:
- Studying concepts within situated action is crucial for comprehensive understanding.
- Isolated study of concepts yields incomplete and potentially distorted accounts of their function and representation.
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