NewAbstractConcepts: A Database of 42 Normed Abstract Concepts and Exemplars
Résumé
Recently, researchers have expressed challenges in conducting word-learning
experiments in adult populations due to limited availability of normed stimulus
materials. This constraint often prompts the use of low-frequency or low-prevalence
words, introducing the potential influence of prior knowledge or direct translation
to familiar words. In response, we developed novel abstract concepts devoid of
word referents, providing better control over prior knowledge. These new concepts
describe situations encountered in various settings for which there is no existing word
in English. The resulting database comprises 42 normed New Abstract Concepts,
offering unique materials structured through scenarios, each containing similar and
dissimilar exemplars. These materials underwent meticulous norming for relatability
and similarity levels across a series of studies. The success of our approach was
demonstrated in a word-learning experiment examining the effects of similarity and
diversity. The database serves as a valuable resource for selecting stimuli in experiments exploring the learning of abstract semantic concepts, particularly investigating the role of similarity versus diversity in concept learning. The database is available on OSF (https://osf.io/svm2p/).
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