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Semantic associative relations and conceptual processing

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Abstract

We analysed the organisation of semantic network using associative mechanisms between different types of information and studied the progression of the use of these associative relations during development. We aimed to verify the linkage of concepts with the use of semantic associative relations. The goal of this study was to analyse the cognitive ability to use associative relations between various items when describing old and/or new concepts. We examined the performance of 100 subjects between the ages of 4 and 7 years on an experimental task using five associative relations based on verbal encoding. The results showed that children are able to use the five semantic associative relations at age 4, but performance with each of the different associative relations improves at different times during development. Functional and part/whole relations develop at an early age, whereas the superordinate relations develop later. Our study clarified the characteristics of the progression of semantic associations during development as well as the roles that associative relations play in the structure and improvement of the semantic store.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Massimiliano Palmiero, PhD, for his contribution to data analysis. This study was supported by two Grants: (1) MIUR Grant, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Heath (60%, 2009) and (2) Grant ‘Future in Research’ MIUR (code RBFR08A5NE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Piazzale S. Tommasi n.1, 67010, Coppito L’Aquila, Italy

    Dina Di Giacomo, Lucia Serenella De Federicis, Manuela Pistelli, Daniela Fiorenzi & Domenico Passafiume

  2. Foundation P. Alberto Mileno, ONLUS, Rome, Italy

    Dina Di Giacomo & Domenico Passafiume

Authors
  1. Dina Di Giacomo
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  2. Lucia Serenella De Federicis
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  3. Manuela Pistelli
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  4. Daniela Fiorenzi
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  5. Domenico Passafiume
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Correspondence to Dina Di Giacomo.

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Di Giacomo, D., De Federicis, L.S., Pistelli, M. et al. Semantic associative relations and conceptual processing. Cogn Process 13, 55–62 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-011-0399-7

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