DSST Lifespan Developmental Psychology Practice Exam

In linguistics, semantics specifically concerns the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences. Among the options provided, the concept that most directly relates to semantics is lexical and cognitive semantics. Lexical semantics deals with the understanding of word meanings and their relationships, which is integral to the field of semantics. Cognitive semantics examines how meaning is constructed in the human mind and considers the influence of mental representations on language and meaning.

While synonyms, morphemes, and antonyms are relevant to understanding word meanings, they fall more under the umbrella of lexical semantics rather than being a standalone study of semantics. Phonetics and syntax, on the other hand, focus on sounds and sentence structure, respectively, and do not delve directly into the meanings of language. Similarly, pragmatics and phonology relate more to how context influences meaning and the sound system of a language, respectively, rather than the study of meaning itself. Therefore, the best answer that aligns with the study of semantics is lexical and cognitive semantics, as it encompasses both word meaning and the cognitive processes behind understanding language.