Semantic networks help individuals to establish relationships among words, which aids in word recognition. Based on your understanding of semantic memory and semantic networks, select a topic and create an example of a semantic network based on your topic. 200-250 words, APA Format, references.
Semantic memory refers to the aspect of long-term memory that stores general knowledge about the world, including concepts and their relationships. Within semantic memory, semantic networks are hierarchical and interconnected structures that represent these relationships among concepts. In this assignment, I will select the topic of “animals” and create an example of a semantic network based on this topic.
At the core of the semantic network for the topic of animals, we have the concept of “animal.” This central concept forms the root from which other related concepts branch out. Let’s consider some sub-concepts that can be connected to “animal” in this network.
One primary sub-concept could be “mammals.” Mammals can be defined as a class of animals that possess certain characteristics such as giving birth to live young, having mammary glands, and having hair or fur on their bodies. Some examples of mammals include humans, dogs, cats, and elephants. These examples will be connected to the concept of “mammals” in the semantic network.
Another sub-concept could be “birds.” Birds are a class of animals characterized by having feathers, laying hard-shelled eggs, and possessing beaks and wings. Examples of birds include sparrows, eagles, penguins, and swans.
Reptiles can be another sub-concept in the semantic network. Reptiles are a group of animals that are characterized by having scaly skin, laying eggs, and being cold-blooded. Examples of reptiles include snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles.
Fish can also be included as a sub-concept in the network. Fish are aquatic animals that typically have gills for respiration, fins for locomotion, and scales covering their bodies. Examples of fish include salmon, goldfish, sharks, and clownfish.
Amphibians, which are cold-blooded vertebrates that undergo a metamorphosis from an aquatic larval stage to a terrestrial adult stage, can also be integrated into the semantic network. Examples of amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
Insects can be another sub-concept that branches from the central concept of “animal.” Insects are a class of invertebrates characterized by having a three-part body structure (head, thorax, and abdomen), six legs, and usually two pairs of wings. Examples of insects include ants, bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Arachnids, such as spiders, scorpions, and ticks, can also be connected as a sub-concept in the semantic network. Arachnids are a class of invertebrate animals characterized by having four pairs of legs and body segments that are combined into two main parts (cephalothorax and abdomen).
Lastly, we can include the concept of “extinct animals” in the semantic network. This concept represents animals that were once alive but no longer exist. Examples of extinct animals include dinosaurs, mammoths, dodos, and saber-toothed cats.
This example of a semantic network for the topic of “animals” demonstrates how concepts and their relationships can be organized hierarchically. The central concept of “animal” connects to various sub-concepts such as mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, insects, arachnids, and extinct animals. Each of these sub-concepts further branches out to include specific examples within their respective categories. By organizing knowledge in this manner, semantic networks enhance word recognition by allowing individuals to establish and access relationships among words.
