Literal vs. hyperbole: examining speech preferences in testimonies of victims of sexual crime

Desai, Shreyasi; Filik, Ruth

Abstract

Victim emotionality is one of the most influential factors in sexual crime cases. Traditionally, the study of emotionality has been limited to behaviour-descriptors such as conveying panic or appearing shaken, however, such studies must also be extended to the content of the victim’s testimony. Factors that affect emotionality within victim speech have not been sufficiently explored. Figurative language–such as metaphor, hyperbole, and simile–has been viewed historically as a tool to enhance persuasion, source credibility, and influence attitude changes within listeners. Thus, the use of figurative language may be the quickest and most effective way for victims to communicate the impact of sexual abuse. The present research focused on the intentional meta-linguistic content of victim testimony such as the use of figurative language; specifically, hyperbole. We investigated whether professionals and laypersons preferred a hyperbolic phrase, or a literal phrase in victim testimony, when asked to assume the role of the speaker, using a ‘fill-in-the-blank’ task. The results showed that professionals preferred the literal phrase, whereas laypersons preferred the hyperbolic. This would suggest that the pragmatic functions of hyperbole are different for laypersons (who could become complainants or jury members) and law enforcement; the implications of this difference are discussed.

Citation

Desai, S., & Filik, R. (2022). Literal vs. hyperbole: examining speech preferences in testimonies of victims of sexual crime. Psychology, Crime and Law, 30(5), 387-403. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2022.2096221

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 21, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jul 11, 2022
• Publication Date: Jul 11, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 12, 2023
• Journal: Psychology, Crime and Law
• Print ISSN: 1068-316X
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-2744
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 387-403
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2022.2096221
• Keywords: Law; General Psychology; Pathology and Forensic Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/8853974
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1068316X.2022.2096221