Italian Semantic and Psycholinguistic Norms: A Systematic Review of Rating-based Databases

Normative linguistic databases play a crucial role in psycholinguistic research by providing standardized measures for selecting and controlling linguistic stimuli. The present systematic review aimed to deliver an overview of Italian normative rating-based databases for linguistic stimuli, focusing on the dimensions investigated, stimulus characteristics, temporal development, and methodological quality of the available resources. Seventeen Italian databases published between 1974 and 2025 were included. For each database, information was extracted regarding rated variables, linguistic stimuli, and methodological characteristics. Variables were grouped into broader dimension categories, and methodological quality was evaluated according to seven predefined criteria. The findings showed that Italian norming work is mainly rooted in classical psycholinguistic variables, such as familiarity, concreteness, imageability, and age of acquisition. The results also suggested a temporal shift toward multidimensionality, with more recent databases providing a more comprehensive characterization of concepts, including sensory-motor, affective, and abstract dimensions. Overall, the Italian norming databases appear valuable but fragmented, with limited stimulus overlap and inconsistent methodological reporting. Recommendations highlight the need for greater integration of stimuli, broader coverage of dimensions, and more transparent reporting standards.