Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Using Eye Movements to Evaluate the Cognitive Processes Involved in Text Comprehension
Published on: January 10, 2014
The temporal dynamics underlying the comprehension of scientific metaphors and poetic metaphors
Xuemei Tang1, Senqing Qi2, Botao Wang2
1Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China; Foreign Languages College, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000, China.
Abstract:
The neural mechanisms underlying the processing of novel metaphors created from poetic contexts have been investigated in previous experiments. Considering the different attributes of metaphors, the current study compared the temporal dynamics for processing two kinds of novel metaphors with event-related potentials (ERPs): scientific metaphors and poetic metaphors. Amplitudes of the N400 (350-450ms) were similar for scientific metaphors and poetic metaphors. Within the LPC window (550-850ms), ERPs associated with these two kinds of novel metaphors were observed every 100ms in three successive subwindows. We found that due to a sustained late negativity overlapping in time and space with the LPC scientific metaphors seemingly elicited the least positive LPC throughout. More importantly, with the passage of time, the LPC waveforms for scientific metaphors diverged from those for poetic metaphors and conventional metaphors while LPC waveforms for poetic metaphors converged with those for conventional metaphors. The reported results indicate the possible different time courses for processing novel metaphors with different contextual structures and different functions. And the findings are compatible with recent brain imaging studies and complement them by adding such new dimensions as the temporal dynamics and the properties of novel metaphors.
Related Concept Videos
Framing Effects
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
Chronopharmacokinetics: Time-Dependent Pharmacokinetics
Time-dependent pharmacokinetics refers to non-cyclical changes in drug rate processes over a period of time. It can lead to nonlinear pharmacokinetics, where the relationship between drug concentration and time is not proportional. Non-cyclical...
Models, Theories, and Laws
Language and Cognition

