Semantic projection as a method to measure individual differences in semantic scale length: insights from...

Human perceive and navigate the world using internal scales constructed for various semantic features (e.g., danger, weight), and these scales vary considerably in length and endpoints among individuals. Quantifying these scale lengths is critical for understanding cognitive diversity, yet existing methods face reliability challenges. Here, we extend Grand et al.'s semantic projection approach through a free-response paradigm to measure individual differences in scale length. Applying this framework to autistic traits, we uncover a dissociation: in male participants, those with high Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores exhibited significantly shorter scale lengths for abstract features compared to low-AQ males, revealing compressed conceptual representations in neurodivergent cognition. In contrast, no such differences were observed among females or for physical features. Potential implications and accounts are discussed.