Perceptual Simulation of Verbs and Pictures

According to perceptual symbol systems, sensorimotor simulations underlie the representation of concepts. It follows that sensorimotor phenomena should arise in conceptual processing. Previous studies have shown that switching from one modality to another during perceptual processing incurs a processing cost. If perceptual simulation underlies conceptual processing, then verifying the properties of concepts should exhibit a switching cost as well. For example, verifying a property in the auditory modality (e.g., BLENDER-loud) should be slower after verifying a property in a different modality (e.g., CRANBERRIES-tart) than after verifying a property in the same modality (e.g., LEAVES-rustling). Only words were presented to subjects, and there were no instructions to use imagery. Nevertheless, switching modalities incurred a cost, analogous to the cost of switching modalities in perception. A second experiment showed that this effect was not due to associative priming between properties in the same modality. These results support the hypothesis that perceptual simulation underlies conceptual processing.

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Are visual processes causally involved in “perceptual simulation” effects in the sentence-picture verification task?

Cognition ◽

10.1016/j.cognition.2018.08.017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 182 ◽

pp. 84-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Markus Ostarek ◽

Dennis Joosen ◽

Adil Ishag ◽

Monique de Nijs ◽

Falk Huettig

Keyword(s):

Verification Task ◽

Perceptual Simulation ◽

Visual Processes

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Chapter 2. Mental models, perceptual simulation, and the conceptual-linguistic interface

Human Cognitive Processing - Mental Models across Languages ◽

10.1075/hcp.63.c2 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 7-69

Keyword(s):

Mental Models ◽

Perceptual Simulation

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Why the block is the block

Metaphor and the Social World ◽

10.1075/msw.1.2.06rit ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 239-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. David Ritchie

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Relationships ◽

Simulation Theory ◽

Community Safety ◽

Urban Neighborhood ◽

Close Attention ◽

Perceptual Simulation ◽

Diverse Community

This study combines Discourse Dynamics (Cameron, 2007) with Perceptual Simulation Theory (Barsalou, 2007; Gibbs, 2006), to analyze a sample of talk among residents of an urban neighborhood about topics related to community safety and the quality of life in their community. The results demonstrate the role of casual conversation in structuring complex social relationships, and the usefulness of close attention to metaphors, story-telling, and humor. By their use, re-use, and development of metaphors and stories the participants in this conversation express and reinforce the patterns of sociability and mutual watchfulness that contribute to a feeling of safety and comfort in their neighborhood, resolve contradictions inherent in life in a diverse community, and cultivate mutual commitment to maintaining the neighborhood as a pleasant community in which to live and raise children.

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