Individual Differences in Pragmatic Processing

I investigate how individual factors such as linguistic experience (e.g., vocabulary size and print exposure), executive functioning (e.g.,working memory span and inhibitory control), general reasoning (e.g., abstract reasoning and cognitive reflection), and creativity (divergent and convergent) influence the comprehension and production of figurative language. I assess how these individual differences modulate the use of contextual information during slow- and fast-paced tasks. This research not only informs the mechanisms underlying pragmatic processing but also informs our understanding of how individual variability impacts language use across diverse populations. 

Publications:

Pissani, L., Scholman, M., & Demberg, V. (in preparation). The role of individual differences in online and offline metaphor comprehension. Journal of Memory and Language (submission planned).