Word Length: Relation to other Values of Words When Meaning is Controlled

Abstract

Previous studies yielded negative correlations for word length with imagery, concreteness, emotionality, and meaningfulness. In study of the relation of word length with other values of words, abstract words with a strong emotional meaning were more numerous in the lists presented than abstract words without that meaning, and by contrast, concrete words had little associated emotionality. We hypothesized that, although meanings of words were controlled, correlations of word length and other variables would be negative. 106 subjects rated 48 pairs of words. Word length correlated -.26 with imagery, -.32 with concreteness, -.01 with emotionality, and -.35 with meaningfulness. This paper describes one of a series of studies investigating the relationships among properties of words such as their length, imagery, emotionality, meaningfulness, concreteness, etc.