Developmental Steps in Metaphorical Language Abilities: The Influence of Age, Gender, Cognitive Flexibility, Information Processing Speed, and Analogical Reasoning

被引:15
|
作者
Willinger, Ulrike [1 ]
Deckert, Matthias [1 ]
Schmoeger, Michaela [1 ]
Schaunig-Busch, Ines [1 ]
Formann, Anton K. [2 ]
Auff, Eduard [1 ]
机构
[1] Med Univ Vienna, Dept Neurol, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
[2] Univ Vienna, Fac Psychol, Vienna, Austria
关键词
Metaphor comprehension; metaphor preference; cognitive flexibility; information processing speed; analogical reasoning; CHILDRENS COMPREHENSION; VISUAL METAPHOR; AUTISM; BRAIN; COMMUNICATION; METONYMY; SIMILE;
D O I
10.1177/0023830917746552
中图分类号
R36 [病理学]; R76 [耳鼻咽喉科学];
学科分类号
100104 ; 100213 ;
摘要
Purpose: Metaphor is a specific type of figurative language that is used in various important fields such as in the work with children in clinical or teaching contexts. The aim of the study was to investigate the developmental course, developmental steps, and possible cognitive predictors regarding metaphor processing in childhood and early adolescence. Method: One hundred sixty-four typically developing children (7-year-olds, 9-year-olds) and early adolescents (11-year-olds) were tested for metaphor identification, comprehension, comprehension quality, and preference by the Metaphoric Triads Task as well as for analogical reasoning, information processing speed, cognitive flexibility under time pressure, and cognitive flexibility without time pressure. Results: Metaphor identification and comprehension consecutively increased with age. Eleven-year-olds showed significantly higher metaphor comprehension quality and preference scores than seven- and nine-year-olds, whilst these younger age groups did not differ. Age, cognitive flexibility under time pressure, information processing speed, analogical reasoning, and cognitive flexibility without time pressure significantly predicted metaphor comprehension. Conclusions: Metaphorical language ability shows an ongoing development and seemingly changes qualitatively at the beginning of early adolescence. These results can possibly be explained by a greater synaptic reorganization in early adolescents. Furthermore, cognitive flexibility under time pressure and information processing speed possibly facilitate the ability to adapt metaphor processing strategies in a flexible, quick, and appropriate way.
引用
收藏
页码:207 / 228
页数:22
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