Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

In the context of language, which component refers to the meaning of a word?

1. Phoneme

2. Morpheme

3. Semantics

4. Pragmatics

The correct answer is: Semantics

The correct choice is semantics, which refers to the study of meaning in language. Semantics focuses on how symbols, such as words and phrases, are used to convey information and emotions. In this context, semantics encompasses the meanings of entire phrases and sentences, as well as the meanings of individual words. Phonemes relate to the sounds of speech and do not convey meaning; they are the smallest units of sound in a language. Morphemes are the smallest grammatical units in a language that carry meaning, such as prefixes and suffixes. While morphemes contribute to the meaning of words, semantics is the broader term that encompasses the meaning of words in context. Pragmatics involves the use of language in social contexts and how context influences the interpretation of meaning. While closely related to semantics, pragmatics focuses more on the practical aspects of communication rather than the core meanings of words themselves.