Authors: Ismene Hermann Verena Haser Ludger Tebartz van Elst Dieter Ebert Daniel MüllerFeldmeth Andreas Riedel Lars Konieczny
Publish Date: 2013/10/01
Volume: 263, Issue: 2, Pages: 177-187
Abstract
This paper investigates automatic processing of novel metaphors in adults with Asperger Syndrome AS and typically developing controls We present an experiment combining a semantic judgment task and a recognition task Four types of sentences were compared Literally true hightypical sentences literally true lowtypical sentences apt metaphors and scrambled metaphors literally false sentences which are not readily interpretable as metaphors Participants were asked to make rapid decisions about the literal truth of such sentences The results revealed that AS and control participants showed significantly slower RTs for metaphors than for scrambled metaphors and made more mistakes in apt metaphoric sentences than in scrambled metaphors At the same time there was higher recognition of apt metaphors compared with scrambled metaphors The findings indicate intact automatic metaphor processing in AS and replicate previous findings on automatic metaphor processing in typically developing individualsWe wish to thank all participants who were willing to donate their time and effort to this study Special thanks are due to Prof Sam Glucksberg for sending us his materials for inspiration and to Thomas Fangmeier for his expert advice in neuropsychological testing and his assistance in recruiting participants This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public commercial or notforprofit sectorsThis article is part of the supplement “Bridging the gap between Neurobiology and Psychosocial Medicine” This supplement was not sponsored by outside commercial interests It was funded by the German Association for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy DGPPN
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