<p>It is known that concepts with similar attributes (color, shape... Etc.) are represented in a similar manner in the brain. However, is there any evidence of abstract relations, such as the as causal relation between two events are also represented in similar manners?</p>

<p>For a example, the relation between a switch and a light (wherein the tilting of the switch causes the light to turn on), should have the same representation as a knob and a light (wherein the turning of the knob causes the light to turn on). </p>

<p>What experimental setup could be used to test this with fMRI?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-23T17:48:01.750Z
I have been informed that experiments are currently being run investigating this. I'll answer this question once the results are published.
Seanny123
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-24T14:11:13.767Z
While you're at it, could you also elaborate a little more on the question? It is not entirely clear to me yet.
Robin Kramer-ten Have
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-26T03:21:40.750Z
@RobinKramer is it better now?
Seanny123
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-22T17:27:12.707Z
Hi Seanny, is there any update on the research? I'm rather interested now :)
Robin Kramer-ten Have
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-23T04:16:12.410Z
@RobinKramer unfortunately none that I know of... This might remain unanswered for some time.
Seanny123
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-02T14:29:34.043Z
@RobinKramer New relevant paper on [metaphor production networks in the brain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28038366) which is related this [review](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951481/).
Seanny123
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T21:13:16.517Z
I think the _title_ question is too broad and will require decades of further research to answer because if you ask _how_ abstract relations are _represented_ neurally I would say we have almost no clue. I would also argue that we don't _how_ color or shape are represented. We mostly only know roughly _where_ things are represented by correlations with BOLD activity. So I'd suggest to formulate it more specifically, maybe: Do abstract relations show similar brain activity as measured by fmri ?
awakenting
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-28T20:59:48.077Z
@robinkramer new paper showing succeasor representation between objects https://elifesciences.org/content/6/e17086
Seanny123
<cognitive-psychology><cognitive-neuroscience><fmri>
How are abstract relations represented neurally?
Seanny123
# How are abstract relations represented neurally?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-23)

It is known that concepts with similar attributes (color, shape... Etc.) are represented in a similar manner in the brain. However, is there any evidence of abstract relations, such as the as causal relation between two events are also represented in similar manners?

For a example, the relation between a switch and a light (wherein the tilting of the switch causes the light to turn on), should have the same representation as a knob and a light (wherein the turning of the knob causes the light to turn on).

What experimental setup could be used to test this with fMRI?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, cognitive-neuroscience, fmri

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I have been informed that experiments are currently being run investigating this. I'll answer this question once the results are published.  
> **username_1**: While you're at it, could you also elaborate a little more on the question? It is not entirely clear to me yet.  
> **username_0**: @RobinKramer is it better now?  
> **username_1**: Hi Seanny, is there any update on the research? I'm rather interested now :)  
> **username_0**: @RobinKramer unfortunately none that I know of... This might remain unanswered for some time.  
> **username_0**: @RobinKramer New relevant paper on [metaphor production networks in the brain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28038366) which is related this [review](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951481/).  
> **username_2**: I think the _title_ question is too broad and will require decades of further research to answer because if you ask _how_ abstract relations are _represented_ neurally I would say we have almost no clue. I would also argue that we don't _how_ color or shape are represented. We mostly only know roughly _where_ things are represented by correlations with BOLD activity. So I'd suggest to formulate it more specifically, maybe: Do abstract relations show similar brain activity as measured by fmri ?  
> **username_0**: @robinkramer new paper showing succeasor representation between objects https://elifesciences.org/content/6/e17086  

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## 0 answers

