{"title":"The ambiguous relation between verbal irony understanding and need for cognitive closure: Reports from two studies","authors":"","doi":"10.58734/plc-2024-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2024-0012","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141803577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Willingness to communicate (WTC) is the probability that one will choose to initiate communication given the opportunity to do so. We investigated the second language (L2) WTC (L2WTC) in Polish teenagers aged 16-19 (N = 177) attending bilingual Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and general English classes in the same Polish school. Using a tailor-made WTC questionnaire, we gathered data twice, before and after the summer holidays, assuming that WTC would depend on the time of testing. The results did not reveal high WTC in English in both groups, and the time of testing did not influence the results. Students’ age, but not gender, influenced the L2WTC, with older students being more willing to communicate than the younger ones. Contrary to expectations, L2WTC in the bilingual CLIL and non-CLIL groups did not differ. The findings suggest that the bilingual programmes in Polish secondary schools may not increase students’ WTC in English.
{"title":"Are Polish CLIL learners more willing to communicate in English than non-CLIL learners?","authors":"","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0019","url":null,"abstract":"Willingness to communicate (WTC) is the probability that one will choose to initiate communication given the opportunity to do so. We investigated the second language (L2) WTC (L2WTC) in Polish teenagers aged 16-19 (N = 177) attending bilingual Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and general English classes in the same Polish school. Using a tailor-made WTC questionnaire, we gathered data twice, before and after the summer holidays, assuming that WTC would depend on the time of testing. The results did not reveal high WTC in English in both groups, and the time of testing did not influence the results. Students’ age, but not gender, influenced the L2WTC, with older students being more willing to communicate than the younger ones. Contrary to expectations, L2WTC in the bilingual CLIL and non-CLIL groups did not differ. The findings suggest that the bilingual programmes in Polish secondary schools may not increase students’ WTC in English.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"67 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135785856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katherine Collins, K. Barbeau, Simnthujaa Sampasivam, C. Bielajew, R. Clément
Abstract Intergroup communication is at the core of intergroup relations. Studies demonstrate that intergroup threat and having an opportunity to derogate the outgroup result in heightened cortisol levels. However, biomarkers associated with different stress systems may show distinct patterns under the same conditions. We investigated whether perceptions of threat and the opportunity to derogate would result in an increase in alpha-amylase levels. White Canadian university students (N = 77) read discriminatory or favorable comments that Chinese individuals made towards Canadians. Subsequently, they were given the opportunity to derogate the outgroup. Salivary alpha-amylase was collected at baseline, following the threat, and after the opportunity to derogate. Participants showed an alpha-amylase response to threat, albeit delayed, but no further increase in concentration values due to derogation. The findings illustrate the impact of intergroup communication on physiological stress as well as the importance of using multiple biomarkers to elucidate that relationship.
{"title":"Outgroup threat and opportunity to derogate: A social neuroscience approach","authors":"Katherine Collins, K. Barbeau, Simnthujaa Sampasivam, C. Bielajew, R. Clément","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Intergroup communication is at the core of intergroup relations. Studies demonstrate that intergroup threat and having an opportunity to derogate the outgroup result in heightened cortisol levels. However, biomarkers associated with different stress systems may show distinct patterns under the same conditions. We investigated whether perceptions of threat and the opportunity to derogate would result in an increase in alpha-amylase levels. White Canadian university students (N = 77) read discriminatory or favorable comments that Chinese individuals made towards Canadians. Subsequently, they were given the opportunity to derogate the outgroup. Salivary alpha-amylase was collected at baseline, following the threat, and after the opportunity to derogate. Participants showed an alpha-amylase response to threat, albeit delayed, but no further increase in concentration values due to derogation. The findings illustrate the impact of intergroup communication on physiological stress as well as the importance of using multiple biomarkers to elucidate that relationship.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 1","pages":"107 - 127"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47063869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Intimidation is often defined, received, and perceived pejoratively. The current study sets out to find a “sweet spot” in situations where intimidation cannot be avoided and compliance is the goal, where one can maximize compliance but keep fear as low as possible. This experimental study predicted that by lessening mean-spirited speech, a moderate amount of intimidation, as opposed to greater or lesser degrees of it, would produce more compliance with a request, positive interpersonal attributions, and communicative accommodations. The results supported the idea of such a “sweet spot” and implications for authority figures are considered and discussed.
{"title":"In search of a “sweet spot:” Can understanding how language influences intimidation maximize the quality of valued compliance?","authors":"Mohemmad Hansia, Norah E. Dunbar, H. Giles","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0011","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Intimidation is often defined, received, and perceived pejoratively. The current study sets out to find a “sweet spot” in situations where intimidation cannot be avoided and compliance is the goal, where one can maximize compliance but keep fear as low as possible. This experimental study predicted that by lessening mean-spirited speech, a moderate amount of intimidation, as opposed to greater or lesser degrees of it, would produce more compliance with a request, positive interpersonal attributions, and communicative accommodations. The results supported the idea of such a “sweet spot” and implications for authority figures are considered and discussed.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 1","pages":"208 - 225"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46030556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Research has shown that individuals speaking low-prestige language varieties are often negatively evaluated and stigmatized by others. However, less is known about how speakers of such language varieties perceive their own speech. Here, we examined self-perceptions and perceived stigma of speakers who belong to multiple social categories signaled by auditory cues. Specifically, we examined beliefs of sexual minority and heterosexual male speakers who were either British nationals (native English speakers) or foreigners living in the UK (non-native English speakers). British speakers believed their voices cue their nationality more than foreigners. Heterosexuals believed their voices reveal their sexual orientation, but only when they self-perceived as sounding masculine. Sexual minority and foreign speakers felt more stigmatized because of the way they sound than did heterosexual and British speakers, respectively. These findings have implications for intergroup communication and voice-based stigmatization literature.
{"title":"When voice signals nationality and sexual orientation: Speakers’ self-perceptions and perceived stigmatization","authors":"F. Fasoli, Marko Dragojevic, Tamara Rakić","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Research has shown that individuals speaking low-prestige language varieties are often negatively evaluated and stigmatized by others. However, less is known about how speakers of such language varieties perceive their own speech. Here, we examined self-perceptions and perceived stigma of speakers who belong to multiple social categories signaled by auditory cues. Specifically, we examined beliefs of sexual minority and heterosexual male speakers who were either British nationals (native English speakers) or foreigners living in the UK (non-native English speakers). British speakers believed their voices cue their nationality more than foreigners. Heterosexuals believed their voices reveal their sexual orientation, but only when they self-perceived as sounding masculine. Sexual minority and foreign speakers felt more stigmatized because of the way they sound than did heterosexual and British speakers, respectively. These findings have implications for intergroup communication and voice-based stigmatization literature.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 1","pages":"59 - 83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47865272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Two studies set against the complex sociopolitical backdrop of the Greek Financial Crisis (2009-2018) examined the role played by media narratives as intragroup communication within Greek society in framing social identity uncertainty and the desired position of the country in the wider intergroup (European) context. The extent of identity-uncertainty produced by the media regarding Greek national identity, future, and relations with the EU was measured in Study 1 (N = 298) and manipulated in Study 2 (N = 293). Study 1 found that exposure to ideologically discordant media messages heightened uncertainty about national identity among right- and left-leaning Greeks. Study 2 found that the type of media chosen (systemic vs. anti-systemic) mediated Greek nationalists’ positions on Grexit, especially under heightened identity-uncertainty. Implications of the role of the media as influential ingroup sources in providing valuable social identity information, especially during a crisis, are discussed.
{"title":"Social identity uncertainty during the Greek financial crisis: The role of media narratives","authors":"S. Belavadi, Antonis Gardikiotis, M. Hogg","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Two studies set against the complex sociopolitical backdrop of the Greek Financial Crisis (2009-2018) examined the role played by media narratives as intragroup communication within Greek society in framing social identity uncertainty and the desired position of the country in the wider intergroup (European) context. The extent of identity-uncertainty produced by the media regarding Greek national identity, future, and relations with the EU was measured in Study 1 (N = 298) and manipulated in Study 2 (N = 293). Study 1 found that exposure to ideologically discordant media messages heightened uncertainty about national identity among right- and left-leaning Greeks. Study 2 found that the type of media chosen (systemic vs. anti-systemic) mediated Greek nationalists’ positions on Grexit, especially under heightened identity-uncertainty. Implications of the role of the media as influential ingroup sources in providing valuable social identity information, especially during a crisis, are discussed.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 1","pages":"84 - 106"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43882046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Although generic masculine forms supposedly include everyone, they seem to evoke masculine representations to the exclusion of other genders (Stahlberg & Sczesny, 2001). Gender-inclusive alternatives may yield more inclusive representations, but this has not been investigated extensively. The current study focused on German and contrasts generic masculine forms (Politiker, politicians) with the gender star (Politiker*innen, politicians [m/f/d]) in order to assess whether they differ in the mental availability of nonmasculine exemplars. The findings suggest that linguistic form matters, as more female exemplars were listed when participants were exposed to the gender star, although very few other nonmasculine exemplars were mentioned. Furthermore, female participants listed more nonmasculine exemplars than male participants, but, as the sample was skewed (more female than male participants), this result is tentative. Thus, the gender star leads to more inclusive mental representations, but other factors likely also play a role in determining the prominence of nonmasculine exemplars.
{"title":"A star is born? The German gender star and its effects on mental representation","authors":"P. Kurz, Hannah N. M. De Mulder","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0018","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Although generic masculine forms supposedly include everyone, they seem to evoke masculine representations to the exclusion of other genders (Stahlberg & Sczesny, 2001). Gender-inclusive alternatives may yield more inclusive representations, but this has not been investigated extensively. The current study focused on German and contrasts generic masculine forms (Politiker, politicians) with the gender star (Politiker*innen, politicians [m/f/d]) in order to assess whether they differ in the mental availability of nonmasculine exemplars. The findings suggest that linguistic form matters, as more female exemplars were listed when participants were exposed to the gender star, although very few other nonmasculine exemplars were mentioned. Furthermore, female participants listed more nonmasculine exemplars than male participants, but, as the sample was skewed (more female than male participants), this result is tentative. Thus, the gender star leads to more inclusive mental representations, but other factors likely also play a role in determining the prominence of nonmasculine exemplars.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 1","pages":"384 - 404"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41451709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract This prologue to a special issue on social psychological processes and intergroup communication begins by outlining the constituents of the field of intergroup communication. This includes many of the major publications, disciplines and orientations involved, the methods, social groups, and communicative features studied together with selected research paradigms, applied and social domains, and theories featured. The empirical articles that follow are discussed with respect to two fundamental issues. The first refers to a seminal distinction manifest in social identity theory, namely, how social interactions can be distinguished, conceptually and operationally, as either interindividual or intergroup. Consequently, the articles are discussed in terms how they are variably manifest as intergroup encounters. The second issue relates to past principles of intergroup communication that are articulated, refined, and elaborated further by recourse, in the main, to the emergent concepts in this special issue.
{"title":"Prolegomena toward integrating social psychological and communicative parameters of intergroup relations","authors":"H. Giles","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This prologue to a special issue on social psychological processes and intergroup communication begins by outlining the constituents of the field of intergroup communication. This includes many of the major publications, disciplines and orientations involved, the methods, social groups, and communicative features studied together with selected research paradigms, applied and social domains, and theories featured. The empirical articles that follow are discussed with respect to two fundamental issues. The first refers to a seminal distinction manifest in social identity theory, namely, how social interactions can be distinguished, conceptually and operationally, as either interindividual or intergroup. Consequently, the articles are discussed in terms how they are variably manifest as intergroup encounters. The second issue relates to past principles of intergroup communication that are articulated, refined, and elaborated further by recourse, in the main, to the emergent concepts in this special issue.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 1","pages":"46 - 58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45981842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract Metaphors can be used to influence people´s decision-making processes. In the judicial context, the use of metaphors is widespread, but its influence on the decision-making process in court has rarely been studied. This study aims to empirically determine the influence of metaphorical frames on judicial decision-making processes in the case of a surrogate against the intended parents. Two hundred and four participants were assigned to one of three groups with different metaphorical frames for surrogacy and were instructed to imagine being jurors in a mock trial. To investigate if the participants´ decisions were influenced by the frame used for surrogacy, χ2 calculations were carried out. Results revealed that the decision-making process of several issues concerning the surrogate, including a penalty fee, was influenced by metaphorical framing. The metaphorical term “mother to rent” might have framed surrogacy as an unemotional business act, leading to resentment in the participants.
{"title":"Does metaphorical framing influence the decision-making process in a judicial conflict? An empirical study on the case of surrogates","authors":"Margaux Mohnke, Yannick Roos, U. Christmann","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0015","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Metaphors can be used to influence people´s decision-making processes. In the judicial context, the use of metaphors is widespread, but its influence on the decision-making process in court has rarely been studied. This study aims to empirically determine the influence of metaphorical frames on judicial decision-making processes in the case of a surrogate against the intended parents. Two hundred and four participants were assigned to one of three groups with different metaphorical frames for surrogacy and were instructed to imagine being jurors in a mock trial. To investigate if the participants´ decisions were influenced by the frame used for surrogacy, χ2 calculations were carried out. Results revealed that the decision-making process of several issues concerning the surrogate, including a penalty fee, was influenced by metaphorical framing. The metaphorical term “mother to rent” might have framed surrogacy as an unemotional business act, leading to resentment in the participants.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 1","pages":"298 - 329"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48486694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amber M. Gaffney, Stephanie S. Souter, Jiin Jung, W. Crano
Abstract The current study examined how the composition of intergroup contexts affects intergroup communication. We propose that when multiple outgroups exist, an extreme faction can make more moderate factions appear reasonable, creating pathways for influence. We also considered the role that an influence target’s fit with their ingroup (self-prototypicality) plays in responses to outgroup influence attempts. Specifically, we propose, and the current study showed, that both the composition of intergroup context and one’s relationship with their own group can create a pathway toward convergence of opinions and willingness to accept an outgroup’s opinion position. Two experiments (American partisans, N = 249), suggest that self-prototypicality in one’s political party positively predicts agreement with an opposing party’s message when the message appears in the presence of a more extreme outgroup than the moderate outgroup alone. This study stresses the importance of considering intragroup and intergroup comparative processes for intergroup communication research.
{"title":"Contexts and conditions of outgroup influence","authors":"Amber M. Gaffney, Stephanie S. Souter, Jiin Jung, W. Crano","doi":"10.58734/plc-2023-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The current study examined how the composition of intergroup contexts affects intergroup communication. We propose that when multiple outgroups exist, an extreme faction can make more moderate factions appear reasonable, creating pathways for influence. We also considered the role that an influence target’s fit with their ingroup (self-prototypicality) plays in responses to outgroup influence attempts. Specifically, we propose, and the current study showed, that both the composition of intergroup context and one’s relationship with their own group can create a pathway toward convergence of opinions and willingness to accept an outgroup’s opinion position. Two experiments (American partisans, N = 249), suggest that self-prototypicality in one’s political party positively predicts agreement with an opposing party’s message when the message appears in the presence of a more extreme outgroup than the moderate outgroup alone. This study stresses the importance of considering intragroup and intergroup comparative processes for intergroup communication research.","PeriodicalId":20768,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Language and Communication","volume":"27 1","pages":"173 - 198"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47970619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}