Affective and non-affective psycholinguistic norms for 500 Chinese three-character idiomatic expressions

Multiword expressions, especially idiomatic expressions, convey rich emotional information. To explore the relationship between affective and non-affective psycholinguistic dimensions in the processing of idiomatic expressions, we collected normative data for two affective (i.e., valence and arousal) and four non-affective variables (i.e., familiarity, transparency, ambiguity, age of acquisition) for 500 Chinese three-character idiomatic expressions, based on responses from 418 native Chinese speakers. Our results showed a quadratic U-shaped relationship between valence and arousal, with neutral idiomatic expressions rated as less arousing than negative or positive ones. Furthermore, more transparent idiomatic expressions were more strongly valenced (either negative or positive) and more arousing. Idiomatic expressions more often used figuratively evoked more negative or stronger emotional responses. In addition, idiomatic expressions with greater negativity were acquired earlier but occurred less frequently. Regarding the non-affective variables, more transparent idiomatic expressions were perceived as more familiar and acquired earlier. Idiomatic expressions more often used figuratively, acquired earlier, or occurred more frequently were rated as more familiar. Lastly, idiomatic expressions that were more often used literally were more transparent and frequent. This study provides a large-scale database for examining the impact of affective and non-affective psycholinguistic factors on Chinese idiomatic expression processing, and it sheds light on the interrelated cognitive mechanisms underlying figurative language processing and emotion.