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The comprehension of idioms: The effects of familiarity, literalness, and usage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Brian C. Cronk  and
Wendy A. Schweigert
Brian C. Cronk*
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Wendy A. Schweigert
Affiliation:
Bradley University
*
Brian C. Cronk, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201. e-mail (Internet): CRONK@CONVEX. CSD. UWM. EDU
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Abstract

The relationships among the familiarity of an idiom's figurative meaning, the likelihood of its literal meaning (literalness), and its usage were explored. Previous research has been inconsistent in supporting any one model of idiom comprehension, although certain factors have been found to affect reading times of sentences containing idioms. Consistent with this research, familiarity was found to have a significant effect on reading times for sentences containing idioms. A significant new finding is that literalness affects reading times. Additionally, it was found that familiarity and literalness exert interactive effects, suggesting a common underlying mechanism. The results are interpreted as supporting a model of idiom comprehension in which a single phrase processor simultaneously computes figurative and literal meanings of idioms.

Type
Articles
Information
Applied Psycholinguistics , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , April 1992 , pp. 131 - 146
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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