Modeling the Growth of Emotional and General Vocabulary Using Nonlinear Trajectories

Abstract

Understanding how emotional and general vocabulary develop across the lifespan offers key insights into cognitive and socioemotional processes. While emotional vocabulary is foundational for emotion regulation and social interaction, general vocabulary underpins broader cognitive functions such as reasoning and reading comprehension. In this study, we modeled the growth trajectories of emotional and general vocabulary using Gompertz functions in a large cross-sectional sample (N = 820; age range = 12- 84 years). To control for item difficulty, we selected a subset of vocabulary items with similar and low difficulty in adulthood. Both vocabulary types showed non-linear growth patterns, with emotional vocabulary exhibiting earlier and faster development, reaching near-asymptotic levels by early adulthood. General vocabulary showed a more gradual increase and later inflection point. A joint nonlinear mixed-effects model confirmed significant differences in developmental timing, with emotional vocabulary peaking approximately four years earlier than general vocabulary. These findings support theoretical models emphasizing the early emergence and adaptive relevance of emotional concepts and highlight adolescence as a sensitive period for emotional vocabulary acquisition. The Gompertz model proved effective in capturing asymmetric vocabulary growth, providing interpretable parameters aligned with developmental theory. Implications for education and emotional development interventions are discussed.