About this research

This research and paper was done for my Cognitive Science Capstone seminar and presented at a national Conference at the University of Maryland. I also presented my research at the Cognitive Science series at Oswego State University.

For the research I wrote 10 different scenarios each with 3 different versions. Each different version had a different level of common ground, low medium and high. After reading a scenario the participants rated it based on the common ground given to them. There is a sample scenario below. Each participant only saw one version of each scenario. This was the most exciting part of my undergraduate studies. Reading the paper first may make the scenarios easier to understand.

Abstract

This paper will report data showing the importance of common ground between speaker and listener, for the perception and interpretation of irony and sarcasm. Prior studies (Gibbs, 2000) have used persons to interpret utterances without using common ground shared between speaker and listener as a tool for aiding in interpretation. Here we offer data that will demonstrates that varying the levels of common ground alters the perception and interpretation of an ironic or sarcastic utterance.

Irony And Sarcasm Microsoft Word Document 47 Kb

Sample Scenario

You are a friend of Joe's, overhearing a conversation at a party between three people, Sally, Sue, and Joe. They are watching a handsome young man help Nancy, the hostess, pick up silverware she just dropped.

Your knowledge:

1. Joe dated Sally; he was crushed when she left him.
2. Joe has harbored some anger towards Sally though they remain outwardly friendly.
3. Sally and Joe both attend school on sports scholarships.

At the Party:

• Sally:"Look at him Sue. He's hot"
• Joe:"Who are you two looking at?"
• Sally:"The guy helping Nancy pick up the silverware tray she just dropped."
• Joe:"Nancy's such a klutz."
• Sue:"He's a nice guy too Sally. He's in my earth science class."
• Sue:"He's looked at you like ten times Sally! I think he's coming over here."
• Joe:"A nice guy and hot too; Sally wouldn't be interested!"

1. Based on your knowledge and the information in the scenario, what do you think Joe meant by his statement "Sally wouldn't be interested!"

2. What information from either the scenario or your knowledge did you use to arrive at this interpretation?

3. How harsh was the statement, “Sally wouldn't be interested!"

   (not harsh at all)0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (very harsh)

4. How funny was the statement, ”Sally wouldn't be interested!"

   (not funny at all)0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (very funny)

5. How literal was the statement,” Sally wouldn't be interested!"

   Circling 0 (exactly literal) indicates that you thought Joe meant exactly what he said
   Circling 7 (exactly opposite) indicates that you thought Joe meant exactly the opposite of what he said
   

   (exactly literal) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (exactly opposite)

6. Do you think Joe's statement "" was an effective way to communicate his message?

   (not effective at all) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (very effective)

If you would care to see the rest of the scenarios contact me and I will make them available to you.