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.
Subject(s)
Comprehension , Metaphor , Humans , Judgment , Language , Motor ActivityABSTRACT
This article discusses a specific type of metaphor in which an abstract non-motion domain is described in terms of a motion event. Abstract non-motion domains are inherently different from concrete motion domains. However, motion domains are used to describe abstract non-motion domains in many metaphors. Three main reasons are suggested for the suitability of motion events in such metaphorical descriptions. Firstly, motion events usually have high degrees of concreteness. Secondly, motion events are highly imageable. Thirdly, components of any motion event can be imagined almost simultaneously within a three-dimensional space. These three characteristics make motion events suitable domains for describing abstract non-motion domains, and facilitate the process of online comprehension throughout language processing. Extending the main point into the field of mathematics, this article discusses the process of transforming abstract mathematical problems into imageable geometric representations within the three-dimensional space. This strategy is widely used by mathematicians to solve highly abstract and complex problems.
ABSTRACT
This study validates the Persian version of the Langer Mindfulness Scale (LMS). The original scale consists of 21 items and 4 subscales; namely, novelty producing, novelty seeking, engagement, and flexibility. In this study, four samples including 2271 individuals in total participated. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to test the factorial structure of the Persian version. The results verified a two-factor structure including novelty producing and novelty seeking for the scale and the two subscales of engagement and flexibility were omitted due to marginal fit. The questionnaire showed satisfying psychometric properties in terms of reliability. Furthermore, convergent and discriminant validity of the instrument was examined via investigating the relationship between the Persian LMS with the WHOQOL instrument and negative and positive affect scales. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between the Persian LMS and positive affect, physical health, psychological health and environmental health. No significant correlations were found between the LMS, social relationships and negative affect.
