The development of similarity: Testing the prediction of a computational model of metaphor comprehension

摘要: An empirical study is presented that tests a novel prediction generated by the Metaphor-by-Pattern-Completion (MPC) connectionist model of metaphor comprehension (Thomas & Mareschal, 2001). The MPC predicts developmental progression in way children process metaphors, from preference for basic-level metaphors to subordinate-level metaphors. Preference different kinds verbal similarity statements was assessed 73 children, aged 4-10, along with justifications. confirmed, providing evidence attendant assumption model, specifically metaphorical intimately linked emerging structure semantic representations children.