Food for thought: the enhanced recall of metaphorical food sentences independent of hunger

TL;DR

This study found that metaphorical food-related sentences are better remembered than literal ones, regardless of whether people are hungry.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel investigation into the memory advantage of metaphorical food sentences and their relation to hunger.

Findings

Metaphorical sentences were better remembered than literal ones.

Hunger did not significantly affect the recall of metaphorical or literal sentences.

Abstract

Metaphorical sentences are assumed to be related to more costly processes than their literal counterparts. However, given their frequent use in our daily lives, metaphorical sentences “must come with a benefit” (Noveck et al. Metaphor Symb 16:109–121. 10.1080/10926488.2001.9678889, 2001). In this paper, we investigated whether metaphorical sentences were better remembered than their literal counterparts. In addition, we were interested in assessing whether the relevance of the metaphors impacted this recall. Anchoring this hypothesis in the appraisal theory, we hypothesized that food-related metaphorical sentences may be particularly relevant when one is hungry, and consequently, be better remembered in that particular physiological state. Participants were presented with randomized metaphorical sentences and their literal counterparts and were later asked to remember the missing word in both metaphorical and literal sentences. General mixed model analyses revealed that metaphorical sentences were better remembered. However, there was no significant effect of hunger. We discuss these results in relation to (1) the metaphor literature and (2) the appraisal theory of emotion.

Figures