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Original Article

Verbs Are Associated With Agency

Evidence From Word Ratings and Natural Language Use

Published Online:October 11, 2023https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-9335/a000522

Abstract

Abstract. Agency and communion comprise the big two of social perception, with agency in general denoting goal orientation and communion orientation toward others. Both dimensions can be coded and detected in language through agentic and communal words, however, only agency through lexical classes, namely verbs. This research examines whether the link between semantic and lexical agency occurs in natural language, as past research was limited to pseudowords or single words. Using existing databases, Study 1 found that people rated verbs as more agentic than nouns. Using large textual datasets, Study 2 found verb use to be positively related to agentic – but not communal word – use. These findings contribute to the identification of agency in language and indicate its importance in social cognition.

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