A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF MEANING

Summary. In the present investigation we have extended the quantitative study of meaning by introducing several new features. We have used ‘operational’ methods of determining the subject's interpretations of words and phrases. Thus, where previously we relied on his written answers to questions, we now measure his interpretations on the basis of what he actually does when given certain instructions. This procedure enables us to control the qualitative context and to measure the effect of changes in the size of the population. We have also eliminated previously uncontrolled variables. Our main conclusion is that the words and phrases studied appear to be understood by the subjects partly in an absolute sense and partly in a relative sense. The effect of age on the interpretations is confirmed. Several suggestions are made for further research in this sphere.