Abstract The present study utilised a cognitive paradigm to examine attentional biases in mildly depressed persons. Twelve and 12 nondepressed subjects completed an task similar that employed by MacLeod, Mathews, Tata (1986). A tachistiscope was used with series of word pairs, each one printed above the other. Three types pairs were presented: manic-neutral, depressed-neutral, manic-depressed. Selective attention member pair assessed using ac perception task. Based on models depression, it...

Abstract This article investigates the contextual components utilized to convey sarcastic verbal irony, testing whether theoretical deemed as necessary for creating a sense of irony are, in fact, necessary. A novel task was employed: Given set statements that out context were not rated sarcastic, participants instructed either generate discourse would make or meaningful (without further specification). In series studies, these generated contexts shown differ from one another along dimensions...

Kreuz and Glucksberg (1989) argued that sarcasm irony are similar in both forms of reminder, yet different conveys ridicule a specific victim whereas does not. This article reports two experiments provide empirical evidence this relation. In experiments, undergraduates read series passages. One group rated target utterance terms the extent to which it was good example sarcasm, second irony. Experiment 1, manipulation found affect participants' ratings hut not their 2, an ridiculed were...

Abstract Norms on 464 metaphors are presented for 10 dimensions representing ratings of comprehensibility, some perceived metaphoric qualities, imagery values, familiarity, and tenor-vehicle relatedness. The items were either literary selected from works poetry (N = 204) or nonliterary generated by the experimenters 260). Analyses normative data indicated that (a) mean reliable (average Cronbach alpha 0.88); (b) even so, individuals varied in their reactions to metaphors; (c) correlated...

Statements such as "children are precious gems" can be interpreted either a metaphor (children valuable) or sarcastic comment on the burden). Katz and Pexman (1997) identified several constraints that biased readers toward metaphoric sarcastic-ironic interpretation: nature (occupation) of person making statement, whether statement was counterfactual to information in preceding discourse context, root instantiated familiar. In this experiment we investigated these would used online during...

Two variations of the picture-word analogue Stroop task were examined in an effort to gain a better understanding processes involved responding stimuli. Four stages this process outlined and then evaluated as potential sources interference these types tasks. In Experiment 1 subjects required respond yes or no (vocally manually) whether picture was that dog. 2 asked by naming picture's semantic category. Taken together, results experiments indicate (a) input factors contribute very little...

Abstract Quintilian (35-100 AD; trans. 1959) pointed out that we use knowledge of the speaker in attributing ironic intent. We examine this possibility by studying interpretation given to statements form "Children are precious gems," which could intend make either a metaphor or sarcastic-ironic comment on metaphor. In two studies, show speaker's occupation can influence our figurative statement. Some neutral context taken be affirming irony when spoken members some occupations (such as...

The use of sarcasm sometimes lessens and enhances the negativity inherent in a sarcastic statement. Using realistic conversational format, participants read either or non-sarcastic aggressive argument between same-gendered interlocutors, rated pragmatic goals being expressed using range measures taken from previous studies. A factor analysis meaningfully grouped dependent variables into separate factors, one which indexed "victimization" second "relational aggression." version was perceived...

Theories of false memories, particularly in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm, focus on word association strength and gist. Backward associative (BAS) is a strong predictor recall this paradigm. However, other than being defined as measure between studied list words falsely recalled nonpresented critical words, there little understanding variable. In Experiment 1, we used knowledge-type taxonomy to classify semantic relations DRM stimuli. These knowledge types predicted...

In recent years, an increasingly large body of research has examined the common situation in which one thing is said order to express another. Although understanding figurative language such as metaphor some depth, sarcasm been less studied. Understanding requires considering social and cultural factors, are often ignored models language. We report diverse experiments that point same conclusions: Sarcastic interpretation occurs early processing, with gender social-cultural factors associated...

Abstract Many value researchers have assumed that rankings of values are more valid than ratings because force participants to differentiate incisively between similarly regarded (e.g., Rokeach & Ball-Rokeach, 1989). This hypothesis was examined by comparing the predictive validity with on a within-subject basis. To assess validity, (a) ranked and rated importance 42 values, (b) indicated their attitudes toward 30 controversial issues, (c) judged ethical acceptability 74 behaviors. Eighteen...

Abstract To date there has been very little research that examined on-line reading of proverbs. This is surprising given proverbs offer a unique opportunity to examine how different sources information combine constrain the resolution statements are ambiguous between literal and nonliteral interpretation. The purpose this was whether context plays an immediate role in constraining meaning proverbial statement, or contextual effects come into play at later stage processing. Two self-paced...

Abstract We examined how explicit markers or "introductory formulae," which are used for signaling that statements should be interpreted literally nonliterally, influence the online processing of proverbs. Familiar unfamiliar proverbial were presented in contexts biased toward either their literal and nonliteral meanings, always preceded immediately by proverbially speaking, a manner no marker. The main hypothesis was markers, combination with contexts, act as strong constraints on whether...

Tourangeau and Sternberg (1981) proposed a sophisticated model to explain how people comprehend appreciate metaphors of the form "Robert Redford is peacock actors." Out study conceptually extended this work by incorporating methodological improvements that permit examination individual differences. It was discovered comparing terms with high dissimilarity between respective categories (between-domain distance) were best understood appreciated. This relation especially marked for participants...

In the context of texts that depicted either a minimally confrontational conversation (study 1) or more argument 2) with close friend, use ironic criticism was rated as being humorous, polite, and positive, yet also sarcastic mocking than direct criticism. Although our results were consistent those reported previously, both studies did not support two theoretical explanations function We unable to demonstrate participant interpretation significantly influenced by magnitude contrast created...

Received wisdom holds that there is a basic and intrinsic directionality in metaphor, wherein switching the target source of metaphor either leads to loss meaning or, if meaningful, based on different sets features. Here authors review experimental literature notion semantic memory can be conceptualized manner similar Euclidean space, properties this space provide boundary conditions invite uni- or bidirectionality when concepts are juxtaposed as metaphor. The three components space:...