Novel conceptual combination can dynamically reconfigure semantic memory networks

We do not simply have concepts; we use concepts. And, the way in which we use concepts can dynamically change the relations among them. One way to shed light on this dynamic nature is to examine how the novel processing of concepts—in our case, interpreting unfamiliar nominal compounds—might reconfigure semantic memory networks. We used network science tools to characterize properties of participants’ semantic networks (e.g., connectivity), and we compared these networks before and after participants constructed novel conceptual combinations. Furthermore, we contrasted combinations in which one attribute of one concept is used to describe another (attributive) with those in which a relation is identified to link two concepts (relational). We found that relational, but not attributive, combinations increased connectivity and lowered structure in the network. We suggest that constructing relational interpretations of compounds requires the generation of novel contexts, thus leading to greater restructuring of the semantic network.

Conceptual Combination in The Cognitive Neurosciences

Much has been learned about how individual concepts and semantic dimensions are represented in the human brain using methods from the field of cognitive neuroscience; however, the process of conceptual combination, in which a new concept is created from pre-existing concepts, has received far less attention. We discuss theories and findings from cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience that shed light on the processing stages and neural systems that allow humans to form new conceptual combinations. We review systematic and creative applications of cognitive neuroscience methods, including neuroimaging, neuropsychological patients, neurostimulation and behavioral studies that have yielded fascinating insights into the cognitive nature and neural underpinnings of conceptual combination. Studies have revealed important features of the cognitive processes that are central to successful conceptual combination. Furthermore, we are beginning to understand how regions of the semantic system, such as the anterior temporal lobe and angular gyrus, integrate features and concepts, and evaluate the plausibility of potential resulting combinations, bridging work in linguistics and semantic memory. Despite the relative newness of these questions for cognitive neuroscience, the investigations we review give a very strong foundation for ongoing and future work that seeks to fully understand how the human brain can flexibly integrate existing concepts to form new and never-before experienced combinations at will.

Concepts

Concepts are mental representations corresponding roughly to words. Construed as semantic pointers, concepts are capable of playing inferential roles, but they also maintain embodied connections with sensory–motor processes. Understanding concepts in this way enables us to give biologically and psychologically plausible accounts of innateness, learning, and categorization. Learning new concepts can occur not only through slow, incremental use of multiple examples but also by fast, sometimes revolutionary conceptual combinations. The process of categorization is carried out by retrieval through reactivation of neural patterns and through parallel constraint satisfaction accomplished by competition among semantic pointers. Categorization can contribute to different kinds of problem solving, including planning, decision making, and explanation. Concepts do not have strict definitions, but they can nevertheless be meaningful because of their relations with sensory and motor inputs and with other concepts.

Introduction to the special issue

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to set the papers included in the special issue into their unique contextual stage of entrepreneurial eco-systems in Nordic and Baltic countries. Design/methodology/approach – The editorial first presents the current status of entrepreneurship in the Nordic and Baltic regions. It then provides an overview of the papers included in this special issue, while highlighting their contributions. Finally, it concludes with suggestions for further research, while pointing out promising areas for future investigations. Findings – The papers included in this special issue help advance the understanding of important aspects of entrepreneurship in general, and within the context of Nordic and Baltic countries in particular. The first two papers focus on antecedents of entrepreneurial behaviour, namely – education and passion, while the last two papers address entrepreneurial behaviour and its outcome in terms of both growth aspiration and actual growth. Finally, the editorial identifies three important themes for future research, namely – the roles of Web 2.0 and online communities, crowdfunding and alternative finance, as well as current immigration trends on entrepreneurship development and dynamics in Nordic and Baltic Europe. Originality/value – This editorial and special issue are in tune with current calls for better understanding of entrepreneurship-related phenomena within their social context, and some of the linkages between social settings and manifestations of entrepreneurship. And while most papers concentrate on themes that may be associated with mainstream entrepreneurship research, each introduces new angles and/or conceptual combinations surrounding such themes and variables, which are unique and inspirational.