Interpreting Physical and Mental Metaphors: Is Theory of Mind Associated with Pragmatics in Middle Childhood?
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| Title: | Interpreting Physical and Mental Metaphors: Is Theory of Mind Associated with Pragmatics in Middle Childhood? |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Lecce, Serena (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Child Language. Mar 2019 46(2):393-407. |
| Availability: | Cambridge University Press. 100 Brook Hill Drive, West Nyack, NY 10994. Tel: 800-872-7423; Tel: 845-353-7500; Fax: 845-353-4141; e-mail: subscriptions_newyork@cambridge.org; Web site: https://journals.cambridge.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 15 |
| Publication Date: | 2019 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Pragmatics, Language Processing, Theory of Mind, Figurative Language, Cognitive Processes, Correlation, Individual Differences, Child Development, Task Analysis, Children |
| DOI: | 10.1017/S030500091800048X |
| ISSN: | 0305-0009 |
| Abstract: | We investigated the association between individual differences in metaphor understanding and Theory of Mind (ToM) in typically developing children. We distinguished between two types of metaphors and created a Physical and Mental Metaphors task, echoing a similar distinction for ToM. Nine-year-olds scored lower than older age-groups in ToM as well as in the interpretation of mental, but not physical, metaphors. Moreover, nine-year-olds (but not older children) who are better in ToM are also better in interpreting mental, but not physical, metaphors. This suggests that the link between metaphor and ToM is stronger when metaphorical interpretation involves mental aspects, and it is more evident in early rather than later childhood. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2019 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1205658 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | We investigated the association between individual differences in metaphor understanding and Theory of Mind (ToM) in typically developing children. We distinguished between two types of metaphors and created a Physical and Mental Metaphors task, echoing a similar distinction for ToM. Nine-year-olds scored lower than older age-groups in ToM as well as in the interpretation of mental, but not physical, metaphors. Moreover, nine-year-olds (but not older children) who are better in ToM are also better in interpreting mental, but not physical, metaphors. This suggests that the link between metaphor and ToM is stronger when metaphorical interpretation involves mental aspects, and it is more evident in early rather than later childhood. |
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| ISSN: | 0305-0009 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/S030500091800048X |
