Semantic projection as a method to measure individual differences in semantic scale length: insights from autism-related traits.

Xingyu Yang, Likan Zhan, Yao Wang

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Xingyu YangCognitive Science and Allied Health School, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, China.

Likan ZhanCognitive Science and Allied Health School, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, China.

Yao WangCognitive Science and Allied Health School, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing, China. wangyao@blcu.edu.cn.

Funding

the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Beijing Language and Culture University 2442024CXTD02

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Human perceive and navigate the world using internal scales constructed for various semantic features (e.g., danger, weight), and these scales vary considerably in length and endpoints among individuals. Quantifying these scale lengths is critical for understanding cognitive diversity, yet existing methods face reliability challenges. Here, we extend Grand et al.'s semantic projection approach through a free-response paradigm to measure individual differences in scale length. Applying this framework to autistic traits, we uncover a dissociation: in male participants, those with high Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores exhibited significantly shorter scale lengths for abstract features compared to low-AQ males, revealing compressed conceptual representations in neurodivergent cognition. In contrast, no such differences were observed among females or for physical features. Potential implications and accounts are discussed.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderAutistic DisorderIndividualitySemanticsAdolescentAdultCognitionFemaleHumansMaleYoung AdultAutismGender differenceSemantic conceptionSemantic projectionWord embedding

Identifiers

PMID41249315

DOI10.1038/s41598-025-23993-x

PMCPMC12623501

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata

LicenceCC BY-NC-ND

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.