• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.199-231
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• 2010

This study tried to contrast the relation-based and the dimension-based explanations and to suggest its implications on the noun-noun conceptual combination. In experiment 1, we investigated whether the dimension-based approach and intra-conceptual explanation can explain both thematic relational and property interpretations of conceptual combinations based upon the intrinsic and extrinsic features of constituent concepts. We defined intrinsic(or extrinsic) concepts according to the degree of dependency on intrinsic(or extrinsic) features. Property interpretation was facilitated when modifiers were the intrinsic concepts. This result implies that processing of conceptual combination can be influenced by the structures and information of constituent concepts. In experiment 2, exocentricity of the concepts used in Gagne(2000) was examined to reanalyze her data according to the dimension-based approach. The exocentricity was higher when the concepts were combined by their relational connections. Results of experiment 1 and 2 suggest the possibility that both approaches can be integrated through the diversities of information involved during interpreting conceptual combination. Implications and future directions of this study were discussed.