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Conceptual Puzzle Pieces

An Image Schema Experiment on Object Conceptualisation

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Book cover Modeling and Using Context (CONTEXT 2019)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 11939))

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Abstract

Image schemas were introduced as mental generalisations learned from the sensorimotor experiences in infancy that in adulthood shape language formation and conceptualisations. So far, little empirical research has been devoted to investigate to which degree image schemas are involved in object conceptualisation more concretely. To address this, this experimental study investigates the relationship between abstract image schemas and their involvement in conceptualisations of common, everyday objects. The experimental set-up asks participants to describe objects using abstract representations of image schemas. The results from the study support the claim that image-schematic thinking is prevalent in the conceptualisation of objects, thus providing empirical evidence for the idea that image schemas can serve as conceptual building blocks for the meaning of objects.

This experiment is part of the research presented in [13].

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The invariance principle states that analogical transfer is based on both source and target domains being structured by the same image schema.

  2. 2.

    In short, conceptual blending is a theoretical framework built on the idea that concept invention is a process of selectively combining existing knowledge domains into new domains.

  3. 3.

    Looking at dynamic image schemas employing moving images for representation is a promising direction for a follow-up study.

  4. 4.

    http://www.kids-pages.com.

  5. 5.

    Note that the three objects excluded from the gold standard were still present in the experiment to allow for a larger span of interpretation.

  6. 6.

    In accordance with embodied cognition and the multi-modal nature of image schemas, it is possible that primitives such as those found in taste and bodily reactions to food should also be included in the research field of image schemas. However, to the authors’ knowledge little such research exists as of yet.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the reviewers for their useful comments. We would also like to thank Mihailo Antović for his assistance regarding data analysis and the study of image schemas. Our thanks also extend to John Bateman, Tony Veale and Rafael Peñaloza for valuable input during discussions on experimental set-up and analysis methods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conceptual and Cognitive Modelling Research Group (CORE), KRDB Research Centre for Knowledge and Data, Faculty of Computer Science, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy

    Maria M. Hedblom & Oliver Kutz

Authors
  1. Maria M. Hedblom
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  2. Oliver Kutz
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Correspondence to Oliver Kutz .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Trento, Trento, Italy

    Gábor Bella

  2. University of Trento, Trento, Italy

    Paolo Bouquet

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Hedblom, M.M., Kutz, O. (2019). Conceptual Puzzle Pieces. In: Bella, G., Bouquet, P. (eds) Modeling and Using Context. CONTEXT 2019. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 11939. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34974-5_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34974-5_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-34974-5

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