Exploring Perceptions of Novelty and Mirth in Elicited Figurative Language Production

Abstract

ABSTRACT Most research of figurative language production examines naturalistic discourse. However, laboratory studies of elicited figurative language production are useful because they provide insight into whether specific individual differences are associated with differences in figurative language production ability. In this sense, elicited figurative language production studies mirror the approach many studies of figurative language processing and comprehension take. Accordingly, this study is an investigation into perceptions of novelty and mirth associated with figurative language production. Data in this study come from elicited figurative language production tasks for metaphorical comparisons and sarcastic replies, which were rated based on perceptions of novelty and mirth as well as conceptual distance (metaphors) and incongruity (sarcastic replies). Two individual differences, Need for Cognition and Abstract Thinking, along with other differences such as prompt type and production time were used to predict the novelty and mirth ratings. The results demonstrate a significant effect of Need for Cognition on metaphors but not for sarcastic replies, whereas no significant effects were observed for Abstract Thinking. Moreover, longer production times were associated with higher ratings for both metaphors and sarcastic replies. Finally, the results highlighted the manner in which prompt characteristics influenced participants’ responses, especially so for sarcastic replies.