Language shapes cognition: The impact of linguistic labelling on concept acquisition and identification

The present study experimentally investigates the effect of linguistic labeling on concept acquisition and identification of abstract objects during a categorization task. Participants (N = 56) were randomly allocated to one of two groups and asked to perform a categorization task of previously learned objects. One group learned objects with linguistic labels, while the other did not. Objects included archetypes at the extremes of the color and shape spectrum and borderline ones along the color and shape spectrum. Participants' reaction time and classification accuracy were tested during training and testing. Our analysis revealed no difference in the speed of learning and reaction times between the two groups. Participants in the group without linguistic labeling showed greater classification accuracy for archetypes and borderline objects. In contrast to previous research, an impeding effect of labeling on concept acquisition and categorical knowledge was found. However, the...Show moreThe present study experimentally investigates the effect of linguistic labeling on concept acquisition and identification of abstract objects during a categorization task. Participants (N = 56) were randomly allocated to one of two groups and asked to perform a categorization task of previously learned objects. One group learned objects with linguistic labels, while the other did not. Objects included archetypes at the extremes of the color and shape spectrum and borderline ones along the color and shape spectrum. Participants' reaction time and classification accuracy were tested during training and testing. Our analysis revealed no difference in the speed of learning and reaction times between the two groups. Participants in the group without linguistic labeling showed greater classification accuracy for archetypes and borderline objects. In contrast to previous research, an impeding effect of labeling on concept acquisition and categorical knowledge was found. However, the findings must be viewed cautiously due to limitations of possible sampling errors and differences in the study design. Ultimately, previous findings seem less universal than assumed and cannot be replicated for a particular set of experimental designs using abstract objects. Further research, including neuroimaging studies, is needed to understand the brain mechanisms and pathways of categorization processes when impacted by language.Show less

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Language shapes cognition: The impact of linguistic labelling on concept acquisition and identification