Statistical Semantics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvi

   PDF

2. Methods

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Introduction to Statistical Semantics

      • Sverker Sikström, Danilo Garcia

      Pages 3-9

   3. Creating Semantic Representations

      • Finn Årup Nielsen, Lars Kai Hansen

      Pages 11-31

   4. Software for Creating and Analyzing Semantic Representations

      • Finn Årup Nielsen, Lars Kai Hansen

      Pages 33-51

   5. Semantic Similarity Scales: Using Semantic Similarity Scales to Measure Depression and Worry

      • Oscar N. E. Kjell, Katarina Kjell, Danilo Garcia, Sverker Sikström

      Pages 53-72

   6. Prediction and Semantic Trained Scales: Examining the Relationship Between Semantic Responses to Depression and Worry and the Corresponding Rating Scales

      • Oscar N. E. Kjell, Katarina Kjell, Danilo Garcia, Sverker Sikström

      Pages 73-86

   7. SemanticExcel.com: An Online Software for Statistical Analyses of Text Data Based on Natural Language Processing

      • Sverker Sikström, Oscar N. E. Kjell, Katarina Kjell

      Pages 87-103

3. Applications

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 105-105

      PDF

   2. Neuroscience: Mapping the Semantic Representation of the Brain

      • Larissa Langensee, Johan Mårtensson

      Pages 107-123

   3. A Ternary Model of Personality: Temperament, Character, and Identity

      • Danilo Garcia, Kevin M. Cloninger, Sverker Sikström, Henrik Anckarsäter, C. Robert Cloninger

      Pages 125-142

   4. Dark Identity: Distinction Between Malevolent Character Traits Through Self-Descriptive Language

      • Danilo Garcia, Patricia Rosenberg, Sverker Sikström

      Pages 143-164

   5. The (Mis)measurement of Happiness: Words We Associate to Happiness (Semantic Memory) and Narratives of What Makes Us Happy (Episodic Memory)

      • Danilo Garcia, Ali Al Nima, Oscar N. E. Kjell, Alexandre Granjard, Sverker Sikström

      Pages 165-189

   6. Space: The Importance of Language as an Index of Psychosocial States in Future Space Missions

      • Sonja M. Schmer-Galunder

      Pages 191-207

   7. Social Psychology: Evaluations of Social Groups with Statistical Semantics

      • Marie Gustafsson Sendén, Sverker Sikström

      Pages 209-218

   8. Implicit Attitudes: Quantitative Semantic Misattribution Procedure

      • Niklas Lanbeck, Danilo Garcia, Clara Amato, Andreas Olsson, Sverker Sikström

      Pages 219-236

   9. Linguistic: Application of LSA to Predict Linguistic Maturity and Language Disorder in Children

      • Kristina Hansson, Birgitta Sahlén, Rasmus Bååth, Sverker Sikström

      Pages 237-248

   10. Political Science: Moving from Numbers to Words in the Case of Brexit

       • Annika Fredén

       Pages 249-262

This book discusses the application of various statistical methods to texts, rather than numbers, in various fields in behavioral science. It proposes an approach where quantitative methods are applied to data whereas previously such data were analyzed only by qualitative research methods. To emphasize the quantitative aspects of semantics, and the possibilities of conducting scientific interferences, the book introduces the concept of statistical semantics and presents the reader with a subset of techniques found in that domain. More specifically, the book focuses on methods that allow the investigation of semantic relationships between words, based on empirical corpus data. It shows the reader how to apply various statistical methods on texts, for example statistical tests to ascertain whether two sets of text are statistically different, ways to predict variables from text, as well as how to summarize and graphically illustrate texts. Thus, the book presents an accessible hands-on introduction to a selection of techniques, indispensable for cognitive psychologists, linguists, and social psychologists.

• Quantitative Semantics and Statistical Semantics
• Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA)
• Foundations of Statistical Semantics
• Applications of Statistical Semantics
• Generating Semantic Representation
• Neuroscience and Statistical Semantics
• Language Impairment in Children
• Predicting Linguistic Maturity
• Social Groups with Statistical Semantics
• Analyzing Semantic Representations
• Statistical Semantics in Memory Research
• Global Experience of Happiness
• Positive Psychology Research
• Studying Lying Behavior
• Research on Language Development

• Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

  Sverker Sikström

• Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

  Danilo Garcia

• Blekinge Center of Competence, Region Blekinge, Karlskrona, Sweden

  Danilo Garcia

• Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

  Danilo Garcia

Sverker Sikström has the professorship of cognitive psychology, and the chair of the cognitive division, at Lund University. His earlier work included neural network models and experimental work of memory. His later work include models of meaning of texts, including method developments and application in various fields of behavioural sciences; such as social psychology, memory, positive psychology and clinical psychology. His most recent work is about diagnosing mental health with words analysed by artificial intelligence.

Danilo Garcia, PhD is the Head of Research at the Blekinge Centre of Competence, which is the Region Blekinge’s research and development unit. This center works on innovations in health and practice through interdisciplinary scientific research, person-centered methods, community projects, and the dissemination of knowledge in order to increase the quality of life of people in Sweden. He took his PhD in psychology in 2012 and is also an Associate Professor at the University of Gothenburg since 2015, a well-being coach, and one of the founders and leading Senior Researcher of the Network for Empowerment and Well-Being. He has over 300 publications including scientific articles, chapters, encyclopedia entries, and books. His research interests, besides quantitative semantics, well-being and personality, are free-will, the biopsychosocial model of health, the placebo effect, complex adaptive systems, organizational psychology, genetics, and psychometrics.

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