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Concreteness effects in semantic processing: ERP evidence supporting dual-coding theory

J Kounios¹, P J Holcomb

¹Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition

|July 1, 1994

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Dual-coding theory suggests concrete words activate both verbal and imaginal systems, unlike abstract words. Event-related brain potentials support this dual-coding model over single-system theories.

Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Neuroscience
Psycholinguistics

Background:

Dual-coding theory posits distinct verbal and imaginal systems for processing concrete stimuli, contrasting with single-system theories like context-availability.
These systems are often associated with the left (verbal) and right (imaginal) brain hemispheres.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the neural underpinnings of concreteness effects in word processing.
To compare the explanatory power of dual-coding theory versus context-availability theory using neurophysiological measures.

Main Methods:

Employed event-related brain potentials (ERPs) to examine brain activity.
Conducted two experiments: lexical decision and concrete-abstract classification tasks.
Analyzed the topographic distribution of ERP components, specifically an N400-like negativity.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

Differential scalp distributions of an N400-like negativity were observed between concrete and abstract words.
The observed ERP patterns were more congruent with the predictions of dual-coding theory.

Conclusions:

The findings provide neurophysiological evidence supporting dual-coding theory.
Concrete word processing appears to engage distinct neural systems compared to abstract word processing, as reflected in ERPs.