Abstract
Adult subjects in two experiments were presented pairs of stimuli that differed in varying degree on an abstract semantic attribute, and were required to choose the one with the higher value on the given dimension. Subjects in Experiment 1 chose the more pleasant member of a pair of pictures, concrete nouns, or abstract nouns. Those in Experiment 2, presented a pair of pictures or concrete nouns, chose the one whose referent had the higher monetary value. Theoretical interest centered on the effects of semantic distance, stimulus mode, and individual differences in imagery and verbal ability on choice time. In both experiments, response times (1) decreased with increases in semantic distance, (2) were faster for pictures than words (and for concrete than abstract words in Experiment 1), and (3) were faster for high- than for lowimagery participants. The results are completely consistent with a dual-coding (image vs. verbal) interpretation: Pleasantness and value, though conceptually abstract, are attributes of things rather than words, and they are accordingly represented in and processed by a system specialized for dealing with nonverbal information.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References Note
1. Paivio, A. Unpublished list of 260 pictures and their labels with normative data on selected attributes. Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario.
2. Ley, R. G., & Bryden, M. P.Hemispheric differences in processing emotional stimuli. Paper presented at the Eighteen, th Annual Meeting of the Psychonomic Society, 1977.
References
Banks, W. P. Encoding and processing of symbolic information in comparative judgments. In G. H. Bower (Ed.),The psychology of learning and motivation (Vol. 11). New York: Academic Press, 1977.
Banks, W. P., &FLora, J. Semantic and perceptual processes in symbolic comparisons.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 1977,3, 278–290.
Bennett, G. K., Seashore, M. G., &Wesman, A. G.Differential aptitude tests. New York: The Psychological Corporation, 1947.
Ernest, C. H., &Paivio, A. Imagery ability in pairedassociate and incidental learning.Psychonomic Science, 1969,15, 181–182.
Griggs, R. A., &Shea, S. L. Integrating verbal quantitative information in linear orderings.Memory & Cognition, 1977,5, 287–291.
Guilford, J. P.The nature of human intelligence. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1967.
Holyoak, K. J., &Walker, J. H. Subjective magnitude information in semantic orderings.Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1976,15, 287–299.
Kerst, S. M., &Howard, J. H., Jr. Mental comparisons for ordered information on abstract and concrete dimensions.Memory & Cognition, 1977,5, 227–234.
King, F. L., &Kimura, D. Left-ear superiority in dichotic perception of vocal nonverbal sounds.Canadian Journal of Psychology, 1972,26, 111–116.
Likert, R., &Quasha, W. H.Revised Minnesota paper form board test (Series AA). New York: The Psychological Corporation, 1941.
Mowrer, O. H.Learning theory and the symbolic processes New York: Wiley. 1960
Moyer, R. S. Comparing objects in memory Evidence suggesting an internal psychophysicsPerception & Psychophystcs. 1973,13, 180–184.
Osgood, C. E., &McGuigan, F. J. Psychophysiological correlates of meaning: Essences or tracers? In F J. McGmgan & R, Schoonover (Eds.),The psychophysiology of thinking. New York: Academic Press, 1973.
Paivio, A.Imagery and verbal processes. New York: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston, 1971.
Paivio, A. Symbolic and sensory modalities of memory, in M. E. Meyer (Ed.),Third western sympostum on learning Cognitive learning. Bellingham: Western Washington State College, 1972. Pp. 109–136.
Paivio, A. Perceptual comparisons through the mind’s eye.Memory & Cognition, 1975.3. 635–647.
Pavio, A. Images. propositions, and knowledge. In J. M. Nicholas (Ed.),Images, perception, and knowledge. The Western Ontario Series in the Philosophy of Science. Dordrecht: Reidel, 1977.
Paivio, A. Comparisons of mental clocks.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 1978,4, 61–71.
Paivio, A. Dual coding: Theoretical issues and empirical evidence. In J. M. Scandura & C. J. Brainerd (Eds.),Structural/process models of complex human behavior. Leiden: Nordhoff, in press. (a)
Paivio, A. Imagery, language, and semantic memory.International Journal of Psycholinguistics, in press. (b)
Paivio, A., Yuille, J. C., & Madigan, S. A. Concreteness, imagery, and meaningfulness values for 925 nouns.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1968, 76(1, Part 2).
Potts, G. R. Information processing strategies used in the encoding of linear orderings.Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1972,11, 727–740.
Schwartz, G. E., Davidson, R. J., &Maer, F. Right hemisphere lateralization for emotion in the human brain: Interactions with cognition.Science, 1975,190, 286–288.
Winer, B. J.Statistical principles in experimental design. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1971.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by Grant A0087 from the National Research Council of Canada.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Paivio, A. Mental comparisons involving abstract attributes. Memory & Cognition 6, 199–208 (1978). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03197447
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03197447