Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the process of metaphor comprehension in three different conditions of metaphor-prime, literal-prime, and no-prime. To achieve this objective, three experiments were conducted. In the metaphor-prime condition, each metaphor was preceded by a homo-schematic metaphor prime. In the literal-prime condition, each metaphor was preceded by a literal prime that provided some information about literal meanings of topic and vehicle of the following metaphor. In the no-prime condition, each metaphor was preceded by no stimulus. In each condition, a group of 20 participants made judgment on the sensibility of 15 metaphors. In Experiment 1, sensibility judgments in the literal-prime and metaphor-prime conditions were compared with each other. In Experiment 2, sensibility judgments in the no-prime and metaphor-prime conditions were compared with each other. In Experiment 3, sensibility judgments in the no-prime and literal-prime conditions were compared with each other. The obtained results indicated that in the metaphor-prime condition, metaphors were judged to have the highest degree of sensibility, and participants were faster in making sensibility judgments. On the other hand, in the literal-prime condition, metaphors were judged to have the lowest degree of sensibility. Therefore, it is suggested that the understanding of a homo-schematic metaphor prime activates an abstract schema. The activation of this schema prepares the ground for the understanding of the following metaphor. When a metaphor prime and its following metaphor share the same schema, the comprehender does not need to re-activate this schema to understand the following metaphor, as this schema has already been activated by metaphor prime.
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The study was carried out according to the declaration of Helsinki (WMA 2013) and was approved by ethical committee of Chabahar Maritime University and ethical committee of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. All participants either received course creditor or participated voluntarily and gave their written informed consent.
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Appendices
Appendix 1
English translation of metaphor-prime experiment
(Prime): Traffic lights are policemen. They talk to drivers, even though they don’t have a tongue 1. A lawyer is a lighthouse |
(Prime): Patience is a magic. With magic, you can do everything 2. Time is a physician |
(Prime): Planning is a teacher. You will succeed with a good teacher 3. Discipline is fertilizer |
(Prime): Happiness is a messenger. It tells what you fee 4. A smile is an ambassador |
(Prime): Hard times are hurricanes. Prepare yourself before the hurricane arrives 5. Indecision is a whirlpool |
(Prime): Reading a difficult book is the construction of a building; first foundation; and then the walls and roof 6. Ideas are plants |
(Prime): These days there are hidden cameras everywhere. They are eagles 7. Security is a trap |
(Prime): Ideas are plants. They start as a seed 8. A business is a living organism |
(Prime): High buildings are mushrooming everywhere in this city without any forethought 9. Billboards are warts |
(Prime): I’m a hand-tied boxer and a feet-tied runner 10. My job is a jail |
(Prime): The news of president’s death occupied everywhere 11. A rumor is a virus |
(Prime): The growth of bribery has paralyzed our bureaucratic system 12. Crime is a disease |
(Prime): My attachment to my homeland is deeply rooted. I am chained to this place 13. A best friend is an anchor |
(Prime): He was wrestling with a lot of pressure in his office 14. Research is mountain climbing |
(Prime): If you have information about your rivals, you find the easiest road to defeat them 15. Education is lantern |
English translation of literal-prime experiment
(Prime): During those years, lighthouses were a great help for sailors at stormy nights 1. A lawyer is a lighthouse |
(Prime): Some physicians are very professional. They can recognize diseases with a close examination of patients’ conditions 2. Time is a physician |
(Prime): Fertilizers are widely used by farmers. They help farmers to produce more crops 3. Discipline is fertilizer |
(Prime): US ambassador in London was an experienced politician 4. A smile is an ambassador |
(Prime): Whirlpools can be extremely dangerous for unprofessional swimmers 5. Indecision is a whirlpool |
(Prime): In this area, various types of plants can be found. Some of them are colorful and very beautifu 6. Ideas are plants |
(Prime): In this area, hunters use special traps to capture rabbits 7. Security is a trap |
(Prime): Living organisms need food, water, air, and sunray to grow 8. A business is a living organism |
(Prime): Warts can create serious problems if they are not treated by a professional physician 9. Billboards are warts |
(Prime): The criminal was kept in a special jail for a long time. He was not allowed to have any contact with others 10. My job is a jail |
(Prime): Some diseases are caused by virus. On the other hand, some diseases might have other causes 11. A rumor is a virus |
(Prime): The lethal diseases have caused a lot of deaths among people in this poor area 12. Crime is a disease |
(Prime): Anchor is used by sailors to keep ships and boats in a fixed place in windy days 13. A best friend is an anchor |
(Prime): Mountain climbing is one of the best exercises that can help us to improve our physical and psychological conditions 14. Research is mountain climbing |
(Prime): Before the invention of electricity, people used lantern to lighten their houses 15. Education is lantern |
English translation of no-prime experiment
1. A lawyer is a lighthouse |
2. Time is a physician |
3. Discipline is a fertilizer |
4. A smile is an ambassador |
5. Indecision is a whirlpoo |
6. Ideas are plants |
7. Security is a trap |
8. A business is a living organism |
9. Billboards are warts |
10. My job is a jail |
11. A rumor is a virus |
12. Crime is a disease |
13. A best friend is an anchor |
14. Research is mountain climbing |
15. Education is lantern |
Appendix 2
(English translation of Persian questionnaire used in the study)
In each item, answer the first question by putting a sign on the first line (for topic) and answer the second question by putting a sign on the second line (for vehicle).
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1.
Do you think there is any similarity between the following metaphors in terms of basic concrete features of topic?
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2.
Do you think there is any similarity between the following metaphors in terms of basic concrete features of vehicle?
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Khatin-Zadeh, O., Khoshsima, H. Homo-schematic Metaphors: A Study of Metaphor Comprehension in Three Different Priming Conditions. J Psycholinguist Res 50, 923–948 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-020-09754-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-020-09754-z