Tommaso Lamarra
@tomlamarra.bsky.social
PhD student at University of Bologna @abstractionerc.bsky.social
Research: how linguistic system enhances conceptualization in the abstraction process
Phil/CogSci/Linguist
Research: how linguistic system enhances conceptualization in the abstraction process
Phil/CogSci/Linguist
Pinned
Specificity effect in concrete/abstract semantic categorization task - Cognitive Processing
Concrete concepts (banana) are processed faster and more accurately than abstract ones (belief). This phenomenon, supported by empirical studies, is known as the concreteness effect. However, recent r...
doi.org
New Paper Alert 🚨🆕
"Specificity Effect in Concrete/Abstract Semantic Categorization Tasks"
doi.org/10.1007/s103...
We observed faster response times for specific words compared to general words in a semantic decision task, regardless of their level of concreteness.
"Specificity Effect in Concrete/Abstract Semantic Categorization Tasks"
doi.org/10.1007/s103...
We observed faster response times for specific words compared to general words in a semantic decision task, regardless of their level of concreteness.
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
Filippo Domaneschi, director of the Lab of Language and Cognition presenting at @abstractionerc.bsky.social on the reclamation of slurs, discussing pragmatic and psycholinguistic aspects in relation to abstraction mechanisms
October 16, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Filippo Domaneschi, director of the Lab of Language and Cognition presenting at @abstractionerc.bsky.social on the reclamation of slurs, discussing pragmatic and psycholinguistic aspects in relation to abstraction mechanisms
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
Veronica Repetti explaining variation in animacy, alienability and syntactic structure of concrete and abstract possession, this morning for the second @abstractionerc.bsky.social seminar.
All seminars are recorded and posted on site.unibo.it/abstraction/...
All seminars are recorded and posted on site.unibo.it/abstraction/...
October 17, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Veronica Repetti explaining variation in animacy, alienability and syntactic structure of concrete and abstract possession, this morning for the second @abstractionerc.bsky.social seminar.
All seminars are recorded and posted on site.unibo.it/abstraction/...
All seminars are recorded and posted on site.unibo.it/abstraction/...
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
Another academic year at @abstractionerc.bsky.social starts with the seminar of prof. Filippo Domaneschi with his talk "Concretely offensive: the processing of reclaimed slurs". Recordings of the talk will be posted here:
site.unibo.it/abstraction/...
site.unibo.it/abstraction/...
October 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Another academic year at @abstractionerc.bsky.social starts with the seminar of prof. Filippo Domaneschi with his talk "Concretely offensive: the processing of reclaimed slurs". Recordings of the talk will be posted here:
site.unibo.it/abstraction/...
site.unibo.it/abstraction/...
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
Dinner time, to keep the discussion going with our invited speakers Prof Filippo Domaneschi and Dott. Veronica Repetti
October 16, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Dinner time, to keep the discussion going with our invited speakers Prof Filippo Domaneschi and Dott. Veronica Repetti
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
📣 November's Abstraction seminar is all set too!
🗓️ 19 November, 11:30 - 12.30 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/xW7mF )
🎆 Join us, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word!
✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
🗓️ 19 November, 11:30 - 12.30 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/xW7mF )
🎆 Join us, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word!
✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 12:32 PM
📣 November's Abstraction seminar is all set too!
🗓️ 19 November, 11:30 - 12.30 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/xW7mF )
🎆 Join us, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word!
✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
🗓️ 19 November, 11:30 - 12.30 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/xW7mF )
🎆 Join us, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word!
✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
A big thank you also to the Scientific Administrators of #XPRAG.it, @valentinabambini.bsky.social and @filippodomaneschi, for this picture at #TrinityCollege, and for the great recent conversations!
Can't wait for the next conference in Genoa in 2026! 🎉 #XPRAG.it2026
Can't wait for the next conference in Genoa in 2026! 🎉 #XPRAG.it2026
September 20, 2025 at 4:44 PM
A big thank you also to the Scientific Administrators of #XPRAG.it, @valentinabambini.bsky.social and @filippodomaneschi, for this picture at #TrinityCollege, and for the great recent conversations!
Can't wait for the next conference in Genoa in 2026! 🎉 #XPRAG.it2026
Can't wait for the next conference in Genoa in 2026! 🎉 #XPRAG.it2026
So glad to have partecipated in the #XPRAG2025 conference during its 20th anniversary! 🎂 (see the cake in the picture 🤣)
This was my second time in this amazing community, and I had some truly insightful discussions! 🗣️
A big thank to the organizers!!
This was my second time in this amazing community, and I had some truly insightful discussions! 🗣️
A big thank to the organizers!!
September 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
So glad to have partecipated in the #XPRAG2025 conference during its 20th anniversary! 🎂 (see the cake in the picture 🤣)
This was my second time in this amazing community, and I had some truly insightful discussions! 🗣️
A big thank to the organizers!!
This was my second time in this amazing community, and I had some truly insightful discussions! 🗣️
A big thank to the organizers!!
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
Excited to share that I contributed to an article just published in #Nature. My role was on the cognitive side, as part of a collaboration evolved from a fantastic #Dagstuhl seminar.
Collective works like these are crucial windows into where our communities are going!
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Collective works like these are crucial windows into where our communities are going!
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
September 16, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Excited to share that I contributed to an article just published in #Nature. My role was on the cognitive side, as part of a collaboration evolved from a fantastic #Dagstuhl seminar.
Collective works like these are crucial windows into where our communities are going!
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Collective works like these are crucial windows into where our communities are going!
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Excited to share that @abstractionerc.bsky.social has even reached #CambridgeUniversity and #TrinityCollege!
Yesterday, at the #XPrag2025 conference, I presented how speakers maximize the informativeness of their descriptions in naturalistic conversations.
Thanks for the insightful discussions!
Yesterday, at the #XPrag2025 conference, I presented how speakers maximize the informativeness of their descriptions in naturalistic conversations.
Thanks for the insightful discussions!
September 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Excited to share that @abstractionerc.bsky.social has even reached #CambridgeUniversity and #TrinityCollege!
Yesterday, at the #XPrag2025 conference, I presented how speakers maximize the informativeness of their descriptions in naturalistic conversations.
Thanks for the insightful discussions!
Yesterday, at the #XPrag2025 conference, I presented how speakers maximize the informativeness of their descriptions in naturalistic conversations.
Thanks for the insightful discussions!
Glad to be at #XPrag2025 at the #UniversityOfCambridge!
Day 1 was packed with fascinating talks and exciting discussions!
Day 1 was packed with fascinating talks and exciting discussions!
September 18, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Glad to be at #XPrag2025 at the #UniversityOfCambridge!
Day 1 was packed with fascinating talks and exciting discussions!
Day 1 was packed with fascinating talks and exciting discussions!
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
📣The chapter "𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀"
w/@mariannabolog.bsky.social is now online & forthcoming in the #ElsevierEncyclopedia of Language & Linguistics
🔍 Theoretical overview, quantification tools, and behavioral evidence on specificity.
👉 Read: urly.it/31c4nm
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
w/@mariannabolog.bsky.social is now online & forthcoming in the #ElsevierEncyclopedia of Language & Linguistics
🔍 Theoretical overview, quantification tools, and behavioral evidence on specificity.
👉 Read: urly.it/31c4nm
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 8:57 AM
📣The chapter "𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀"
w/@mariannabolog.bsky.social is now online & forthcoming in the #ElsevierEncyclopedia of Language & Linguistics
🔍 Theoretical overview, quantification tools, and behavioral evidence on specificity.
👉 Read: urly.it/31c4nm
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
w/@mariannabolog.bsky.social is now online & forthcoming in the #ElsevierEncyclopedia of Language & Linguistics
🔍 Theoretical overview, quantification tools, and behavioral evidence on specificity.
👉 Read: urly.it/31c4nm
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
📣 Abstraction seminars are back!
🗓️ 17 October, 10:00 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/RjrOU)
🎆 Join us for another seminar, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word!
✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
🗓️ 17 October, 10:00 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/RjrOU)
🎆 Join us for another seminar, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word!
✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 10:21 AM
📣 Abstraction seminars are back!
🗓️ 17 October, 10:00 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/RjrOU)
🎆 Join us for another seminar, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word!
✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
🗓️ 17 October, 10:00 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/RjrOU)
🎆 Join us for another seminar, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word!
✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
📣 Abstraction seminars are back!
🗓️ 16 October, 15:00 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/0fw5a)
🎆 Join us for a thought-provoking seminar, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word! ✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
🗓️ 16 October, 15:00 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/0fw5a)
🎆 Join us for a thought-provoking seminar, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word! ✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
📣 Abstraction seminars are back!
🗓️ 16 October, 15:00 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/0fw5a)
🎆 Join us for a thought-provoking seminar, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word! ✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
🗓️ 16 October, 15:00 (CEST)
📍 Bologna (in presenza) or 💻 Microsoft Teams (link: shorturl.at/0fw5a)
🎆 Join us for a thought-provoking seminar, details in the figure!
👉 Save the date & spread the word! ✨
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
Excited to be at #ESCOP for the first time! 🗣️
Presenting a joint project with @abstractionerc.bsky.social, @mariannabolog.bsky.social and @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social on naturalistic interactions.
Key finding: Speakers use more specific and informative language as a communicative strategy
Presenting a joint project with @abstractionerc.bsky.social, @mariannabolog.bsky.social and @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social on naturalistic interactions.
Key finding: Speakers use more specific and informative language as a communicative strategy
September 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Excited to be at #ESCOP for the first time! 🗣️
Presenting a joint project with @abstractionerc.bsky.social, @mariannabolog.bsky.social and @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social on naturalistic interactions.
Key finding: Speakers use more specific and informative language as a communicative strategy
Presenting a joint project with @abstractionerc.bsky.social, @mariannabolog.bsky.social and @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social on naturalistic interactions.
Key finding: Speakers use more specific and informative language as a communicative strategy
New Paper Alert 🚨🆕
"Specificity Effect in Concrete/Abstract Semantic Categorization Tasks"
doi.org/10.1007/s103...
We observed faster response times for specific words compared to general words in a semantic decision task, regardless of their level of concreteness.
"Specificity Effect in Concrete/Abstract Semantic Categorization Tasks"
doi.org/10.1007/s103...
We observed faster response times for specific words compared to general words in a semantic decision task, regardless of their level of concreteness.
Specificity effect in concrete/abstract semantic categorization task - Cognitive Processing
Concrete concepts (banana) are processed faster and more accurately than abstract ones (belief). This phenomenon, supported by empirical studies, is known as the concreteness effect. However, recent r...
doi.org
September 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
New Paper Alert 🚨🆕
"Specificity Effect in Concrete/Abstract Semantic Categorization Tasks"
doi.org/10.1007/s103...
We observed faster response times for specific words compared to general words in a semantic decision task, regardless of their level of concreteness.
"Specificity Effect in Concrete/Abstract Semantic Categorization Tasks"
doi.org/10.1007/s103...
We observed faster response times for specific words compared to general words in a semantic decision task, regardless of their level of concreteness.
@abstractionerc.bsky.social Post-Doc @grambelli.bsky.social giving her talk about LLMs' analogical ability with novel compounds at the last day of the #SLE2025 conference!🗣️🥑
It’s inspiring to work alongside such a brilliant colleague!
It’s inspiring to work alongside such a brilliant colleague!
August 29, 2025 at 10:53 AM
@abstractionerc.bsky.social Post-Doc @grambelli.bsky.social giving her talk about LLMs' analogical ability with novel compounds at the last day of the #SLE2025 conference!🗣️🥑
It’s inspiring to work alongside such a brilliant colleague!
It’s inspiring to work alongside such a brilliant colleague!
Excited to be at #SLE2025 this week!
Presented 🗣️ two studies:
🔹 Iconicity ratings for Italian language across L1 & L2 speakers
🔹 Ambiguity of generality in a fantastic workshop on "Lexical Ambiguity in the Mind"
Appreciated the feedback & discussions!
Presented 🗣️ two studies:
🔹 Iconicity ratings for Italian language across L1 & L2 speakers
🔹 Ambiguity of generality in a fantastic workshop on "Lexical Ambiguity in the Mind"
Appreciated the feedback & discussions!
August 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Excited to be at #SLE2025 this week!
Presented 🗣️ two studies:
🔹 Iconicity ratings for Italian language across L1 & L2 speakers
🔹 Ambiguity of generality in a fantastic workshop on "Lexical Ambiguity in the Mind"
Appreciated the feedback & discussions!
Presented 🗣️ two studies:
🔹 Iconicity ratings for Italian language across L1 & L2 speakers
🔹 Ambiguity of generality in a fantastic workshop on "Lexical Ambiguity in the Mind"
Appreciated the feedback & discussions!
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
Here we are at #SLE2025 in Bordeaux! @tomlamarra.bsky.social
August 26, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Here we are at #SLE2025 in Bordeaux! @tomlamarra.bsky.social
It's me again!
Road to Bordeaux 🇫🇷✈️ for #SLE2025 to take part in the "lexical ambiguity in the mind" workshop! 🏏🦇
Tomorrow, I'll be presenting @abstractionerc.bsky.social results on referential ambiguity in abstraction and generality!
@mariannabolog.bsky.social
@caterinavillani.bsky.social
Road to Bordeaux 🇫🇷✈️ for #SLE2025 to take part in the "lexical ambiguity in the mind" workshop! 🏏🦇
Tomorrow, I'll be presenting @abstractionerc.bsky.social results on referential ambiguity in abstraction and generality!
@mariannabolog.bsky.social
@caterinavillani.bsky.social
August 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
It's me again!
Road to Bordeaux 🇫🇷✈️ for #SLE2025 to take part in the "lexical ambiguity in the mind" workshop! 🏏🦇
Tomorrow, I'll be presenting @abstractionerc.bsky.social results on referential ambiguity in abstraction and generality!
@mariannabolog.bsky.social
@caterinavillani.bsky.social
Road to Bordeaux 🇫🇷✈️ for #SLE2025 to take part in the "lexical ambiguity in the mind" workshop! 🏏🦇
Tomorrow, I'll be presenting @abstractionerc.bsky.social results on referential ambiguity in abstraction and generality!
@mariannabolog.bsky.social
@caterinavillani.bsky.social
Road to Bordeaux ✈️🇫🇷 for #SLE2025! Where I am going to present IconicITA!!
An @abstractionerc.bsky.social @unibo and @unimib joint project on iconicity ratings ☑️ for the Italian language across L1 and L2 speakers!
An @abstractionerc.bsky.social @unibo and @unimib joint project on iconicity ratings ☑️ for the Italian language across L1 and L2 speakers!
August 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Road to Bordeaux ✈️🇫🇷 for #SLE2025! Where I am going to present IconicITA!!
An @abstractionerc.bsky.social @unibo and @unimib joint project on iconicity ratings ☑️ for the Italian language across L1 and L2 speakers!
An @abstractionerc.bsky.social @unibo and @unimib joint project on iconicity ratings ☑️ for the Italian language across L1 and L2 speakers!
Did you know that language shifts in specificity to better support comunication in semi-naturalistic conversations?
Check-out our virtual poster presentation 📄🎦 at the @cogscisociety.bsky.social conference!
@mariannabolog.bsky.social @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
Check-out our virtual poster presentation 📄🎦 at the @cogscisociety.bsky.social conference!
@mariannabolog.bsky.social @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
August 1, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Did you know that language shifts in specificity to better support comunication in semi-naturalistic conversations?
Check-out our virtual poster presentation 📄🎦 at the @cogscisociety.bsky.social conference!
@mariannabolog.bsky.social @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
Check-out our virtual poster presentation 📄🎦 at the @cogscisociety.bsky.social conference!
@mariannabolog.bsky.social @gabriellavigliocco.bsky.social
@abstractionerc.bsky.social
Deadline (March 14th) is approaching! ⏳ 🕙
Submit your abstract 📜 and join the Second edition of the PhD CLUB Doctoral conference 🗣️ about individual and contextual differences in linguistic research!
The conference will be held in english at University of Bologna (IT) on June 5th!
Submit your abstract 📜 and join the Second edition of the PhD CLUB Doctoral conference 🗣️ about individual and contextual differences in linguistic research!
The conference will be held in english at University of Bologna (IT) on June 5th!
March 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Deadline (March 14th) is approaching! ⏳ 🕙
Submit your abstract 📜 and join the Second edition of the PhD CLUB Doctoral conference 🗣️ about individual and contextual differences in linguistic research!
The conference will be held in english at University of Bologna (IT) on June 5th!
Submit your abstract 📜 and join the Second edition of the PhD CLUB Doctoral conference 🗣️ about individual and contextual differences in linguistic research!
The conference will be held in english at University of Bologna (IT) on June 5th!
Reposted by Tommaso Lamarra
🧪 Our Behavioral Findings:
👉Specificity & concreteness explain unique variance in Lexical decision (word recognition) and Semantic decision (meaning judgment)
👉In conversations, specificity shapes:
👉👉How much clarification a word needs.
👉👉Plausibility of follow-up responses (curiosity vs. closure).
👉Specificity & concreteness explain unique variance in Lexical decision (word recognition) and Semantic decision (meaning judgment)
👉In conversations, specificity shapes:
👉👉How much clarification a word needs.
👉👉Plausibility of follow-up responses (curiosity vs. closure).
March 7, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🧪 Our Behavioral Findings:
👉Specificity & concreteness explain unique variance in Lexical decision (word recognition) and Semantic decision (meaning judgment)
👉In conversations, specificity shapes:
👉👉How much clarification a word needs.
👉👉Plausibility of follow-up responses (curiosity vs. closure).
👉Specificity & concreteness explain unique variance in Lexical decision (word recognition) and Semantic decision (meaning judgment)
👉In conversations, specificity shapes:
👉👉How much clarification a word needs.
👉👉Plausibility of follow-up responses (curiosity vs. closure).
I'm very happy to join the metaphor community 👥 at the RaAM17 @raammetaphor.bsky.social, in Lawrence, MI (US) @al-azary.bsky.social
I will present 🗣️ an @abstractionerc.bsky.social research by @mariannabolog.bsky.social and me about the importance of different levels of abstraction▪️◾◼️ in metaphors!
I will present 🗣️ an @abstractionerc.bsky.social research by @mariannabolog.bsky.social and me about the importance of different levels of abstraction▪️◾◼️ in metaphors!
March 7, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I'm very happy to join the metaphor community 👥 at the RaAM17 @raammetaphor.bsky.social, in Lawrence, MI (US) @al-azary.bsky.social
I will present 🗣️ an @abstractionerc.bsky.social research by @mariannabolog.bsky.social and me about the importance of different levels of abstraction▪️◾◼️ in metaphors!
I will present 🗣️ an @abstractionerc.bsky.social research by @mariannabolog.bsky.social and me about the importance of different levels of abstraction▪️◾◼️ in metaphors!
Interested in social interaction and abstract concepts? Dive into our latest paper for interesting results!
A joint project by @abstractionerc.bsky.social, @ballabrome.bsky.social
With @claudiamazzuca.bsky.social, @caterinavillani.bsky.social, @mariannabolog.bsky.social, @annaborghi.bsky.social
A joint project by @abstractionerc.bsky.social, @ballabrome.bsky.social
With @claudiamazzuca.bsky.social, @caterinavillani.bsky.social, @mariannabolog.bsky.social, @annaborghi.bsky.social
Does sentences’ abstractness affect conversation dynamics? In three preregistered studies with @abstractionerc.bsky.social we found this is so, with abstract sentences eliciting more uncertainty and curiosity than concrete sentences. Just out on Cognition!
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S...
ScienceDirect.com | Science, health and medical journals, full text articles and books.
authors.elsevier.com
March 6, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Interested in social interaction and abstract concepts? Dive into our latest paper for interesting results!
A joint project by @abstractionerc.bsky.social, @ballabrome.bsky.social
With @claudiamazzuca.bsky.social, @caterinavillani.bsky.social, @mariannabolog.bsky.social, @annaborghi.bsky.social
A joint project by @abstractionerc.bsky.social, @ballabrome.bsky.social
With @claudiamazzuca.bsky.social, @caterinavillani.bsky.social, @mariannabolog.bsky.social, @annaborghi.bsky.social