Semantic memory: A context sensitive system

Semantic memory, the enduring store of knowledge about the world and language, underpins numerous cognitive functions. A deep understanding of its structure and functioning necessitates a thorough examination of the representations within this system. In this thesis, we discuss topics related to representations in semantic memory, including evaluating theoretical assumptions of the units of analysis that drive knowledge acquisition, the role of semantic relatedness in semantic memory retrieval, and the integrative nature of task-dependent semantic memory representations. Across a range of computational modeling and behavioral experiments, this investigation yielded various insights into the nature of semantic memory representations. Central to this work is advancing the proposition that representations in semantic memory may be best described by distributional models of meaning.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Flores, Andrew Z

Contributors dc:contributor

• Willits, Jon
• Federmier, Kara
• Fisher, Cynthia
• Montag, Jessica
• Hotaling, Jared

• Semantic Memory
• Distributional Modeling

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Andrew Flores

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129473

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129473