Abstract
Despite the success of exemplar models of representation, the general approach in the study of the representation of conceptual combinations is based on prototypes. In this study, we evaluate the exemplar view in conceptual combination, and compare it to the traditional prototype approach. For 10 complex concepts, typicality was predicted using an instantiation-based spatial exemplar model. The exemplar model's predictions were compared to the predictions of five plausible prototype models. Results clearly indicated that the exemplar model provides the best predictions of typicality for the complex concepts, and little or no unique variance in the observed typicality gradient was accounted for exclusively by the prototype model. We find that an exemplar representation of five to ten exemplars is optimal in the prediction of typicality, which is remarkably similar to earlier findings regarding simple, established concepts. Following the clear dominance of exemplar models in categorisation and concept research, the present study underlines the need of taking the exemplar approach to the next level, applying it in the more complex field of conceptual combination.
Highlights
An intriguing aspect of human language is the flexibility people display in the use and interpretation of natural language concepts in everyday language use
We will in turn describe the spatial prototype model, the exemplar model and the instantiation principle that is applied in both models
While we find some evidence for a prototype approach in three complex concepts, none of the prototype models succeeds in providing a satisfying account of typicality for all complex concepts
Summary
Despite the success of exemplar models of representation, the general approach in the study of the representation of conceptual combinations is based on prototypes. We evaluate the exemplar view in conceptual combination, and compare it to the traditional prototype approach. For 10 complex concepts, typicality was predicted using an instantiation-based spatial exemplar model. The exemplar model’s predictions were compared to the predictions of five plausible prototype models. Results clearly indicated that the exemplar model provides the best predictions of typicality for the complex concepts, and little or no unique variance in the observed typicality gradient was accounted for exclusively by the prototype model. Following the clear dominance of exemplar models in categorisation and concept research, the present study underlines the need of taking the exemplar approach to the level, applying it in the more complex field of conceptual combination
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