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Evidence for role-neutral initial processing of metaphors.

P Wolff1, D Gentner

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, USA. wolff@psyc.umd.edu

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
|April 14, 2000
PubMed
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This study investigated metaphor processing, finding that initial stages are role-neutral, supporting the structure-mapping model over the attributive categorization model. Early metaphor comprehension appears to be independent of specific roles.

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Linguistics
  • Psycholinguistics

Background:

  • Two prominent models of metaphor processing exist: structure-mapping and attributive categorization.
  • The structure-mapping model suggests role-neutral alignment followed by inference projection.
  • The attributive categorization model posits role-specific processing throughout comprehension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To empirically test and differentiate between the structure-mapping and attributive categorization models of metaphor processing.
  • To investigate the temporal dynamics and role-sensitivity of early metaphor comprehension stages.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a reaction time (RT) based interference paradigm, building on Glucksberg et al.'s (1982) findings.
  • Conducted three experiments manipulating metaphor structure and term order.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measured interference effects and full comprehension RTs to distinguish early vs. late processing stages.

    • Main Results:

    • Experiment 1 and 2 showed no significant difference in interference effects for normal vs. reversed metaphors, indicating role-neutral initial processing.
    • Experiment 3 confirmed that full metaphor comprehension is role-sensitive and significantly slower than early interference effects.
    • Interference effects were observed even for highly conventional metaphors, supporting early, role-neutral processing.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings provide strong support for the structure-mapping model of metaphor processing.
    • Early stages of metaphor comprehension are characterized by role-neutral alignment.
    • Later stages of comprehension involve role-specific interpretation, aligning with the structure-mapping model's predictions.