Towards a comprehensive characterization of semantic grounding: A German norms database across 35 experiential dimensions

A large body of research has shown that semantic representations are formed through direct experience and interaction with the outer world. A crucial open question is, however, what aspects of human experience are particularly relevant for shaping conceptual knowledge. Here, we provide a database of norms for 480 German words across 35 semantic dimensions grounded in human perception, action, affective, social, and interaction events, selected based on well-established findings from the cognitive neurosciences. We show that our semantic dimensions successfully capture word distinctions between different semantic categories, even for more challenging abstract categories, as well as distinctions within the same semantic category, both of which would not be captured by a limited set of features only encompassing sensorimotor dimensions. Our norms contribute to a comprehensive characterization of semantic representations and provide a valuable tool for researchers aiming to link them with experimental data.