Subjective Lexical Characteristics: Comparing Ratings of Members of the Target Population and Doctors for Words Stemming from a Medical Context

The present study investigated the subjective lexical characteristics of words stemming from a medical context by comparing estimations of the target population (age range = 46–89) and of doctors. A total of 58 members of the target population and 22 oncologists completed measures of subjective frequency and emotional valence for words previously collected in interviews of announcement of cancer diagnosis. The members of the target population also completed tests of word definitions, without and within context. As expected, most of the words were rated less familiar, more negative and as generating more intense emotions to the target population than to the doctors. Moreover, only a few words were correctly defined by the target population. Adding a context helped the participants to define most of the words correctly. Importantly, we identified words that were rated familiar by the patients although they did not know their exact meaning. Overall, these results highlight the importance of taking into account the subjective lexical characteristics of words used in specific contexts

A base of emotionality (valence, arousal, category) of 1286 French words according to age (EMA)

Introduction et objectifs: Plusieurs études ont montré que les effets de l’émotionalité des mots sur leur traitement dépendaient à la fois de leur valence émotionnelle et de leur arousal, et que ces effets variaient avec l’âge. Toutefois, parmi les différentes bases en langue française, aucune ne fournit à la fois des estimations de valence et d’arousal de mots ne renvoyant pas directement à un trait émotionnel en fonction de l’âge. Ceci constitue l’objectif principal de la base d’émotionalité des mots selon l’âge (EMA) que nous proposons. De plus, cette base fournit une catégorisation de chaque mot dans les sous-catégories émotionnelles primaires. Méthode: Au total, 1286 mots français ont été évalués en ligne sur leur valence émotionnelle et leur arousal par 1017 adultes âgés de 18 à 82 ans. De plus, chaque mot estimé comme négatif ou positif était affecté à une catégorie (joie, surprise, colère, dégoût, peur ou tristesse). Résultats: Les données montrent (1) une relation quadratique entre valence et arousal qui se maintient avec l’âge, même si la force de cette association décroît, (2) une variation des évaluations de valence et d’arousal selon l’âge, avec une évaluation plus négative et de plus fort arousal avec l’avancée en âge et (3) une modification des estimations de valence et d’arousal selon la sous-catégorie d’appartenance d’un mot. Conclusion: La base EMA fournit ainsi un nouvel outil pour les études chez l’adulte utilisant des mots émotionnels, en particulier celles portant sur le fonctionnement cognitif lié à l’âge ou spécifique à une tranche d’âge donnée.Introduction/aim: Several studies have shown that the effects of word emotionality on its processing depend on both its valence and its arousal. Such effects also varied with age. However, in French, there is no norm providing both valence and arousal estimates for words not directly referring to an emotion. That was the aim of this study. Moreover, the base of word emotionality according to age (EMA) we propose here provides categorization for each word in basic emotional subcategories. Method: In total, 1286 French words were evaluated on line on both emotional valence and arousal by 1017 adults from 18 to 82 years old. Moreover, each word judged as negative or positive was attributed to a category (joy, surprise, anger, disgust, fear or sadness). Results: The data showed (1) a quadratic relationship between valence and arousal, maintained across age groups, even if its strength decreased with aging; (2) age-related variations of both valence and arousal estimates; and (3) a modification of valence and arousal evaluations according to affiliation to basic emotional subcategories. Conclusion: The EMA base provides a new tool for studies using emotional words in adulthood, especially for those investigating cognitive functioning in aging or in a specific age group

High-risk exposure without personal protective equipment and infection with SARS-CoV-2 in-hospital workers - The CoV-CONTACT cohort.

International audienc

High-risk exposure without personal protective equipment and infection with SARS-CoV-2 in-hospital workers - The CoV-CONTACT cohort

International audienc

High-risk exposure without personal protective equipment and infection with SARS-CoV-2 in-hospital workers - The CoV-CONTACT cohort

International audienc