Common Physical Properties and Augmental Functions in Metaphor Effect: A Systematic Replication

Abstract

Metaphors are widely used by psychotherapists, such as in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Recent experimental research seeks to investigate which specific characteristics of the metaphor would contribute to behavior change in individuals. This study aimed to replicate the experiment by Sierra, Ruiz, Flórez, Riaño-Hernández, & Luciano (2016) with the goal of evaluating its replicability in assessing the effect of two variables in a metaphor on increasing pain tolerance: a) the presence of common physical properties between the individual’s experience and the metaphor, and b) the specification of appetitive augmental functions in the metaphor content. Eighty-one participants were exposed to a cold pressor task. Subsequently, the participants were randomly assigned to four experimental protocols consisting of a metaphor that included: (a) common physical properties and appetitive augmental functions, (b) only common physical properties, (c) only appetitive augmental functions, and (d) none of these variables. Then, the participants were re-exposed to the cold pressor task. The results demonstrated that only the specification of appetitive augmental functions showed a significant increase in pain tolerance in the experimental task. These findings indicate a discrepancy compared to the original study, where both variables had a relevant effect on pain tolerance.