Erica Edwards, Ph.D.

Nonliteral language (sarcasm, metaphors, and humor) is used throughout daily discourse, in casual and formal settings. My current research interests focus on our perceptions of nonliteral language and the various factors that can impact how sarcasm, metaphors, and humor are understood, with an additional focus on individual differences. Age, sex, culture, relationship, and many other person variables not only impact how non-literal language is perceived, but how the speaker is perceived as well. Gaining a better understanding of how the use of nonliteral language impacts comprehension and relationships, we can better understand when sarcasm, metaphors, and humor bring us together and when they can pull us apart.