Quantifying the Semantic Similarity of Ambiguous Words as the Similarity of the Affective Dimension of Sensorimotor Experiences

Abstract

The embodied cognition models postulate that our previous sensory and motor experiences with the world around us form the basis of our representation. Although many sensorimotor norming studies have been conducted so far, very few of them acknowledged the word ambiguity, and none of them measured the subjective experience tied to the sensorimotor experience with an object. For that reason, the goal of this research was to collect the affective sensorimotor norms for separate meanings/senses of ambiguous words in order to contribute to the previous norming practices that neglected the affective, subjective domain of sensorimotor experience. Our prediction was that similarity in two affective dimensions, valence (positive/negative) and arousal (exciting/relaxing) would be in a positive relationship with semantic similarity of concepts, expressed both categorically (ambiguity type) and numerically (speakers’ ratings). However, although differences were observed in the predicted direction, no significant effects were found. This novel procedure informed us about the modification of standard norming procedures that are necessary in order to obtain valid data.