ABSTRACT
A central question in psychology concerns how knowledge is represented and organized in the brain. Researchers examine the contents and representation of information “in” semantic memory and distinguish this type of knowledge from other types of knowledge, such as autobiographical memory (e.g., Tulving, 1985). Semantic memory consists of knowledge about the world, such as what we know about animals, negotiating, tools, clothing, cooking, furniture, etc. Several avenues of research bear directly on the issues of representation and organization of semantic knowledge, including results with nonbrain-damaged individuals, children, and brain-damaged populations. Our intent in this chapter is to provide an overview of the issues currently being addressed and to relate relevant results to our understanding of the neural organization of knowledge.
