Affective Engagement in Metaphorical versus Literal Communication Styles in Counseling

Bibliographic Data

ID11273669
AuthorsD Tay (0000-0001-9484-6266, Department of English, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume57
Issue4
Pages360-375
Publication date2020-04-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDiscourse Processes (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-853X • E-ISSN: 1532-6950
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0163853x.2019.1689086
OpenAlexW2990465432
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited51

Metaphor theory bears many implications for counseling processes, but metaphor in extended counseling talk is seldom evaluated. This article reports an exploratory skin conductance and discourse analysis of metaphorical versus literal communication styles in facilitating affective engagement over time. After background interaction with the counselor-experimenter, role-playing clients (N = 60) were asked either a metaphorical or literal stimulus question related to the topic of academic problems. This was followed by spontaneous elaboration of either stimulus. A mixed-effects model with random subject intercepts suggests that both styles are tied to increased affective engagement, but the increase was significantly more apparent in the metaphorical style. However, no significant differences were found immediately after stimulus. The results are corroborated by a post-experiment survey where the metaphorical style was rated significantly better for expressing emotions and experiences and introducing new frames of reference. A further exploratory analysis of discourse features uncovered key components of the metaphorical style and their specific implications for engagement. The study suggests that a metaphorical style is more affectively engaging but requires sustained follow-up and spontaneous metaphor elaboration skills. Limitations are critically discussed, given the infancy of the present approach

Cognitive psychology · Discourse analysis · Exploratory research · Linguistics · Literal (mathematical logic · Literal and figurative language · Metaphor · Sociology · Stimulus (psychology · Style (visual arts · Education Practices and Challenges · Humor Studies and Applications · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Psychology · Social Psychology

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