Developmental levels of processing in metaphor interpretation.
We outline a theory of metaphor interpretation. The theory posits varying levels of semantic processing and formalizes them in terms of kinds of semantic-mapping operators that transform properties of the metaphoric vehicle (i.e., predicate) into properties of the metaphoric topic (i.e., subject). We used cognitive-developmental theory to estimate the mental-processing complexity of the various mapping operators, and thereby to predict the timing of their emergence in childhood, and to construct a measure of the metaphoric-processing levels. Metaphor interpretations collected from children (aged 6-12 years) and adults were coded and scored according to the processing levels. In two separate developmental studies, processing score increased with age in a predictable way. Growth in a mental-attentional resource accounted for much of the developmental variance in metaphor interpretation. Possible moderating effects of knowledge and context are discussed.
Johnson
J
J
Department of Psychology, York University, Ontario, Canada.
Pascual-Leone
J
J
D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012660:Semantics; D013561:Symbolism