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Semantic Knowledge Use in Discourse: Influence of Age
Stephen Kintz1, Heather Harris Wright1
1East Carolina University.
Discourse Processes
|May 28, 2019
Summary
This study explored semantic knowledge in younger and older adults' discourse, finding differences in sound and living things categories. Understanding semantic features in discourse is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Neuroscience
- Linguistics
Background:
- Semantic memory is generally stable throughout life.
- Most research focuses on single concepts, not discourse.
- Limited understanding exists on how semantic knowledge is utilized in spoken language.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify semantic knowledge and category domains in discourse.
- To compare younger and older adults' use of semantic knowledge in storytelling.
Main Methods:
- Recruited cognitively healthy younger (20-39) and older (60-89) adults.
- Transcribed participant-told stories.
- Coded stories for 10 semantic knowledge domains and living/nonliving categories.
Main Results:
- Found significant group differences in the proportion of semantic knowledge type 'sound'.
- Observed significant group differences in the use of the category 'living things'.
- These findings highlight age-related variations in semantic content within discourse.
Conclusions:
- Extends prior research on semantic features to the domain of discourse.
- Emphasizes the importance of analyzing semantic features and categories within spoken narratives.
- Suggests age impacts how semantic information is conveyed in discourse.
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