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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

21-06-2015 | Original Paper

Strange Words: Autistic Traits and the Processing of Non-Literal Language

Auteurs: Peter E. McKenna, Alexandra Glass, Gnanathusharan Rajendran, Martin Corley

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 11/2015

Abstract

Previous investigations into metonymy comprehension in ASD have confounded metonymy with anaphora, and outcome with process. Here we show how these confounds may be avoided, using data from non-diagnosed participants classified using Autism Quotient. Participants read sentences containing target words with novel or established metonymic senses (e.g., Finland, Vietnam) in literal- or figurative-supporting contexts. Participants took longer to read target words in figurative contexts, especially where the metonymic sense was novel. Importantly, participants with higher AQs took longer still to read novel metonyms. This suggests a focus for further exploration, in terms of potential differences between individuals diagnosed with ASD and their neurotypical counterparts, and more generally in terms of the processes by which comprehension is achieved.

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Titel: Strange Words: Autistic Traits and the Processing of Non-Literal Language
Auteurs: Peter E. McKenna
Alexandra Glass
Gnanathusharan Rajendran
Martin Corley
Publicatiedatum: 21-06-2015
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 11/2015
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2508-4

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