Placing Abstract Concepts in Space: Quantity, Time and Emotional Valence

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Linguistics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Abstract concepts are frequently conceptualized using spatial axes (horizontal and vertical).
• Existing research presents conflicting findings regarding preferred axes for different conceptual domains.
• Previous studies suggest linguistic quantity terms favor verticality, while numerals favor horizontality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the spatial mapping of abstract concepts using a free-response task.
• To determine preferred spatial axes (horizontal vs. vertical) for quantity words, numerals, time words, and emotional valence words.
• To examine if abstract concepts are exclusively mapped to single axes or can be represented diagonally.

Main Methods:

• Participants completed a free-response task involving spatial placement of abstract concept words and numerals.
• Stimuli included quantity words ('most,' 'more,' 'less,' 'least'), numerals ('2,' '4,' '7,' '9'), time words ('past,' 'future,' 'earliest,' 'earlier,' 'later,' 'latest'), and emotional valence words ('best,' 'better,' 'worse,' 'worst').
• Spatial responses were analyzed to identify preferred horizontal or vertical axis usage.

Main Results:

• Quantity words were predominantly mapped onto the vertical axis.
• Numerals showed a preference for the horizontal axis.
• Time concepts were mapped horizontally, whereas emotional valence concepts were mapped vertically.
• Participants consistently used either the horizontal or vertical axis, avoiding diagonal combinations.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates distinct and domain-specific spatial mappings for abstract concepts.
• Quantity and emotional valence exhibit vertical conceptualization, while numerals and time concepts show horizontal conceptualization.
• Findings support the notion of a spatially grounded abstract thought system, with specific axes dedicated to different conceptual domains.