How spatial is spatial language? Investigating the relationship between spatial cognition and abstract language processing

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between spatially grounded language and spatial cognition. According to embodied cognition, sensitivity to spatial grounding should be related to experience with spatial cognition. Participants completed three language tasks assessing their sensitivity to spatial grounding and three spatial tasks assessing different facets of spatial cognition. These language tasks were derived from previous studies that showed spatial grounding effects. Only of these effects was replicated; the presence of a mental number line. From each of the language tasks, a spatial grounding sensitivity score was calculated based on the difference in reaction times between incongruent and congruent trials. These sensitivity scores were then correlated to performance on the spatial tasks. The results showed almost no significant correlations between the language tasks and spatial tasks, even when looking at those individuals who were most highly sensitive to spatial grounding. Overall the results of this study do not support an embodied view of cognition.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Arts

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Hannah, Jaimy Anne

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Iaria, Giuseppe
• Pexman, Penny M.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Curtin, Suzanne
• Graham, Susan A.

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/37950

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/112220