1. The role of Embodied Representations in Non-Verbal Depiction of Abstract and Concrete Concepts Yanina A.Ledovaya Department of Psychology Saint Petersburg State University St.Petersburg, Russia ledovaya@gmail.com

2. We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are. The Talmud

3. We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are. The Talmud

4. We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are. The Talmud

5. Empirical study with qualitative analysis The stimuli – two concepts: An abstract – IDEA A concrete – DESSERT

6. The participants: teenagers, N=39, 22 females, 17 males, 14-18 years old, average 15,4 ± 1, 03

7. Two successive drawing tasks: 1.To briefly sketch a first imagery impression they have for a concept 2.To depict an object which reflects the most important and essential characteristics of this concept (a subtest from a method Integral conceptual structures by Marina A.Kholodnaya, Russian Academy of Science, Institute of Psychology ; the idea of image–to-word and vice versa transformation during thinking and understanding processes was evolved by Lev Vekker (1918-2001), Leningrad State University)

8. The results IDEA – brief sketch (I) sources of light – sparkling bulbs, shining suns32% humans or parts of the body (head, face, hand)23% signs of emotions (smiles, exclamation or interrogatory signs) 20% a bulb10%

9. The results DESSERT - brief sketch (I) a cake or a piece of a big cake30% ice-cream18% a big cake, cake with candles7 % each emotions, exclamations signs6%

10. The results IDEA – essential characteristics depiction (II) III sources of light – sparkling bulbs, shining suns14%32% human beings or parts of the body (head, face, hand)23% signs of emotions (smiles, exclamation or interrogatory signs)13%20% symbols and metaphors13%4% depicting actions11 %6% improvements8%0% energy conversions6%0%

12. The results. 4 DESSERT – essential characteristics depiction (II) III a cake or a piece of a big cake0%30% ice-cream5%18% a big cake, cake with candles5,5% each 7 % each emotions, exclamations signs8%6% fruit12%0% celebrations, parties110% humans10%2% symbols and metaphors10%0% the idea of harm to health and body6%0%

13. Embodied data in task II (core features) categoriesIDEADESSERT humans or parts of the body23%10% depicting actions11 % improvements8% energy conversions6% the idea of harm to health and body6%

14. Main conclusions: 1.there are visual prototypes for concepts – both for abstract and concrete 2.a deeper representation combined with analysis and synthesis is (likely) experience-dependent and more individual 3.people tell stories and describe whole situations (in a graphical form) to depict essential characteristics of concepts, especially abstracts concepts 4.humans, actions and human body images are more involved into abstract concepts representations

15. Current (further) questions Refuse to depict concepts… Accidental results? Too specific choice of stimuli (IDEA, DESSERT)? Problem of classification (the investigator may not be objective)? Corresponding objective methods of investigation?