The language of magnitude comparison.
Change log
Authors
Matthews, William J
Dylman, Alexandra S
Abstract
When 2 objects differ in magnitude, their relation can be described with a "smaller" comparative (e.g., less, shorter, lower) or a "larger" comparative (e.g., more, taller, higher). We show that, across multiple dimensions and tasks, English speakers preferentially use the latter. In sentence completion tasks, this higher use of larger comparatives (HULC) effect is more pronounced when the larger item is presented on the left (for simultaneous presentation) or second (for sequential presentation). The HULC effect is not diminished by making the 2 items more similar, but it is somewhat lessened when both objects are of low magnitude. These results illuminate the processes underlying the judgment and representation of relative magnitudes.
Description
Keywords
Humans, Judgment, Language, Semantics, Size Perception
Journal Title
J Exp Psychol Gen
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
0096-3445
1939-2222
1939-2222
Volume Title
143
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)