Semantic representation and ease of predication

Jones' (1985) Ease of Predication hypothesis, which states that underlying differences in the semantic representation of concrete and abstract words can be explained in terms of disproportionate numbers of semantic predicates, is explored in two experiments. The results suggest that (1) the advantage shown by concrete words in terms of greater number of predicates is only apparent for words of low frequency, and (2) Jones' case of predication variable does not accurately reflect predicate distributions, or differences in imageability. Rather, it appears to represent differences in concreteness. As such, the validity of this concept as the basis of theories of semantic representation is questioned. Models based on the assumption of a "richer" semantic representation for concrete words are therefore not supported.