Systematic review of foreign studies of the network structure of semantic memory
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54359/ps.v19i106.2081Abstract
In studies of semantic memory (SM), a network approach is actively used, in which the structure of SM is represented as a network — a set of nodes connected by edges — and its network parameters are analyzed. Despite the high popularity of this approach, there is currently no systematic knowledge about the rules and results of its application. The aim of this paper is to analyze and systematize foreign English-language studies on the network structure of semantic memory over the past 10 years. The search for publications was carried out in the Science Direct, PsyNet and Google Scholar search systems. As a result of the literature search, 391 publications were found. After applying the selection criteria, 37 publications were included in the final qualitative analysis. The selection and analysis of the publications found were carried out based on the PRISMA methodology. Methods of classification and systematization were used for quantitative and qualitative analysis. The studies included in the review were systematized according to the following criteria: 1) methods for constructing semantic memory networks; 2) structural parameters of semantic memory networks; 3) factors associated with changes in semantic memory networks. As a result of the analysis, the methodological features of existing techniques for constructing semantic memory networks were determined, the structural parameters of semantic memory networks were classified, factors associated with changes in the structure of semantic memory networks were presented, and the nature of these changes was described. Systematic knowledge about methods for constructing semantic memory networks, their structural parameters and factors associated with changes in these characteristics is necessary for organizing empirical studies of semantic memory. The results obtained in this review reveal the nature of the network approach to modeling the structure of semantic memory and can serve as a methodological guideline for subsequent studies in this area.
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