Figurative language processing in schizophrenia

de Andrade Conde, Helena Maria (2019). Figurative language processing in schizophrenia. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

When patients diagnosed with schizophrenia process figurative language, they often make literality and/or concreteness mistakes. These mistakes can be related to certain cognitive functions that are underperforming or impaired in schizophrenia. This research found that cognitive functions that often present deficits in patients with schizophrenia (PwS) are working memory, cognitive control, cognitive flexibility and ToM. The aim of this study is to provide evidence of the cognitive impairments that might be underlying poorer figurative language processing in schizophrenia, as well as to shed a light on the cognitive functions that might be at play when figurative language is processed. Disclosing the cognitive functions that can be underperforming in schizophrenia can be relevant for therapeutics and for the development of more effective forms of treatment for the disorder. The present thesis analyses figurative language processing (metaphor, logical metonymy and irony) and theory of mind using eye-tracking and behavioural tasks, both on-line and off-line, to disclose how strongly literality and concreteness of language are present in schizophrenia and how closely related these phenomena are to specific deficits in cognitive functioning.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):