Intercultural Advertising, appreciation of visual metaphors
1. Communication and Information Studies
Cross-Cultural Differences in the Evaluation of
Visual Metaphors in Advertising:
Spain, France and the Netherlands
RaAM7
Rob le Pair
Margot van Mulken
Friday, March 13, 2009
3. Visual rhetoric and consumer response
Rhetorical framework for both verbal and visual rhetoric
(McQuarrie & Mick, 1996)
2
Friday, March 13, 2009
4. Visual rhetoric and consumer response
Rhetorical framework for both verbal and visual rhetoric
(McQuarrie & Mick, 1996)
Verbal vs. visual advertising
verbal advertising: more schematic devices (rhyme, alliteration, ...)
visual advertising: more tropical figures: metaphors (Van Mulken, 2003)
Visual rhetoric
refined framework
• pictorial elements have an internal structure
• location of pictorial element within a specific structure indicates
the kind of impact that the pictorial element can be expected to have
(Phillips & McQuarrie, 2004)
2
Friday, March 13, 2009
26. Method: design, instrument
Independent variables
type of visual metaphor
no metaphor
•
juxtaposition
•
fusion
•
replacement
•
6
Friday, March 13, 2009
27. Method: design, instrument
Independent variables
type of visual metaphor
no metaphor
•
juxtaposition
•
fusion
•
replacement
•
Nationality / cultural background
• Dutch
• French
• Spanish
6
Friday, March 13, 2009
28. Method: design, instrument
Dependent variables
Independent variables
type of visual metaphor
no metaphor
•
juxtaposition
•
fusion
•
replacement
•
Nationality / cultural background
• Dutch
• French
• Spanish
6
Friday, March 13, 2009
29. Method: design, instrument
Dependent variables
Independent variables
Experienced complexity
type of visual metaphor
• the meaning of the advertisement is
no metaphor
•
clear to me
juxtaposition
•
• this ad is easy to understand
fusion
•
(Cronbach's alfa ranging from
replacement
• .86 - .98)
Nationality / cultural background
• Dutch
• French
• Spanish
6
Friday, March 13, 2009
30. Method: design, instrument
Dependent variables
Independent variables
Experienced complexity
type of visual metaphor
• the meaning of the advertisement is
no metaphor
•
clear to me
juxtaposition
•
• this ad is easy to understand
fusion
•
(Cronbach's alfa ranging from
replacement
• .86 - .98)
Nationality / cultural background Appreciation
• Dutch • this advertisement is
• French well-chosen
• Spanish • this advertisement is appealing
6
Friday, March 13, 2009
31. Method: design, instrument
Dependent variables
Independent variables
Experienced complexity
type of visual metaphor
• the meaning of the advertisement is
no metaphor
•
clear to me
juxtaposition
•
• this ad is easy to understand
fusion
•
(Cronbach's alfa ranging from
replacement
• .86 - .98)
Nationality / cultural background Appreciation
• Dutch • this advertisement is
• French well-chosen
• Spanish • this advertisement is appealing
• my overall judgement of the
advertisement is positive
(Cronbach's alfa ranging from
.88 - .96)
6
Friday, March 13, 2009
32. Method: design, instrument
Dependent variables
Independent variables
Experienced complexity
type of visual metaphor
• the meaning of the advertisement is
no metaphor
•
clear to me
juxtaposition
•
• this ad is easy to understand
fusion
•
(Cronbach's alfa ranging from
replacement
• .86 - .98)
Nationality / cultural background Appreciation
• Dutch • this advertisement is
• French well-chosen
• Spanish • this advertisement is appealing
• my overall judgement of the
advertisement is positive
(Cronbach's alfa ranging from
.88 - .96)
not agree totally
at all agree
6
Friday, March 13, 2009
34. Results: perceived complexity (all three countries)
Ads with visual metaphors
are found more complex
than ads with no metaphor
7
Friday, March 13, 2009
35. Results: perceived complexity (all three countries)
Ads with visual metaphors
are found more complex
than ads with no metaphor
Fusion was found
less complex than
Juxtaposition
7
Friday, March 13, 2009
36. Results: perceived complexity (all three countries)
Ads with visual metaphors
are found more complex
than ads with no metaphor
Fusion was found
less complex than
Juxtaposition
7
Friday, March 13, 2009
37. Results: perceived complexity (all three countries)
Ads with visual metaphors
are found more complex
than ads with no metaphor
Fusion was found
less complex than
Juxtaposition
Replacement is the most
complex visual metaphor
7
Friday, March 13, 2009
38. Results: perceived complexity (all three countries)
predicted by
Phillips & McQuarrie's
model (2004)
Ads with visual metaphors
are found more complex
than ads with no metaphor
Fusion was found
less complex than
Juxtaposition
Replacement is the most
complex visual metaphor
7
Friday, March 13, 2009
39. Dutch, French and Spanish perceived complexity
8
Friday, March 13, 2009
40. Dutch, French and Spanish perceived complexity
Dutch and Spanish:
same main effect of
metaphor type
8
Friday, March 13, 2009
41. Dutch, French and Spanish perceived complexity
Dutch and Spanish:
same main effect of
metaphor type
French: no effect
8
Friday, March 13, 2009
42. Dutch, French and Spanish perceived complexity
Dutch and Spanish:
same main effect of
metaphor type
French: no effect
main effect of nationality
Spanish find all
metaphor types less
complex than Dutch
interaction effect of
metaphor * nationality
effect of metaphor
type differs by
nationality
(T-test)
8
Friday, March 13, 2009
45. Appreciation (all three countries)
Ads with metaphors are
appreciated more
9
Friday, March 13, 2009
46. Appreciation (all three countries)
Ads with metaphors are
appreciated more
Fusion is appreciated most
9
Friday, March 13, 2009
47. Appreciation (all three countries)
expectation from
Phillips & McQuarrie (2004)
Ads with metaphors are
appreciated more
Fusion is appreciated most
9
Friday, March 13, 2009
48. Appreciation (all three countries)
expectation from
Phillips & McQuarrie (2004)
Ads with metaphors are
appreciated more
Fusion is appreciated most
Juxtaposition and
Replacement are equally
appreciated
9
Friday, March 13, 2009
50. Dutch, French and Spanish appreciation
Same pattern in the
three groups:
fusion,
not replacement, is
appreciated most
10
Friday, March 13, 2009
51. Dutch, French and Spanish appreciation
Same pattern in the
three groups:
fusion,
not replacement, is
appreciated most
10
Friday, March 13, 2009
52. Dutch, French and Spanish appreciation
Same pattern in the
three groups:
fusion,
not replacement, is
appreciated most
10
Friday, March 13, 2009
53. Dutch, French and Spanish appreciation
Same pattern in the
three groups:
fusion,
not replacement, is
appreciated most
Both French and
Spanish appreciate all
three metaphor types
more than Dutch
(T-Test)
10
Friday, March 13, 2009
55. Conclusion and discussion (1)
Complexity
ads with metaphors are more complex than ads which contain no metaphor
complexity increases in line with Phillips and McQuarrie's framework,
except for Fusion (perceived as less complex than Juxtaposition)
Future research questions
are relatively complex Juxtapositions more complex than relatively simple fusions?
or
are Fusions per se less complex than Juxtapositions?
Follow-up study 1
11
Friday, March 13, 2009
57. Conclusion and discussion (2)
Appreciation
use of visual metaphors is appreciated, to a certain extent:
if cognitive elaboration requires too much effort (Replacement-metaphors),
appreciation decreases, which leads to a
Inverted U-curve (McQuarrie & Mick, 2003)
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve?
Follow-up study 2
12
Friday, March 13, 2009
59. Conclusion and discussion (3)
Culture
variance depending on cultural background:
both Spanish and French respondents liked all three metaphor types more
than the Dutch respondents.
13
Friday, March 13, 2009
60. Conclusion and discussion (3)
Culture
variance depending on cultural background:
both Spanish and French respondents liked all three metaphor types more
than the Dutch respondents.
13
Friday, March 13, 2009
61. Conclusion and discussion (3)
Culture
variance depending on cultural background:
both Spanish and French respondents liked all three metaphor types more
than the Dutch respondents.
Possible explanations
13
Friday, March 13, 2009
62. Conclusion and discussion (3)
Culture
variance depending on cultural background:
both Spanish and French respondents liked all three metaphor types more
than the Dutch respondents.
Possible explanations
• Spanish and French cultures are more tolerant for implicit, indirect
communication (Hall & Hall, 1990; Callow and Schiffman, 2002; De Mooij, 2004)
13
Friday, March 13, 2009
63. Conclusion and discussion (3)
Culture
variance depending on cultural background:
both Spanish and French respondents liked all three metaphor types more
than the Dutch respondents.
Possible explanations
• Spanish and French cultures are more tolerant for implicit, indirect
communication (Hall & Hall, 1990; Callow and Schiffman, 2002; De Mooij, 2004)
13
Friday, March 13, 2009
64. Conclusion and discussion (3)
Culture
variance depending on cultural background:
both Spanish and French respondents liked all three metaphor types more
than the Dutch respondents.
Possible explanations
• Spanish and French cultures are more tolerant for implicit, indirect
communication (Hall & Hall, 1990; Callow and Schiffman, 2002; De Mooij, 2004)
• Different preferences in expressing judgements: cultural response bias
'acquiescence bias' (tendency to agree) or 'extreme response bias'
13
Friday, March 13, 2009
66. Conclusion and discussion (4)
Moderating factors
competence (being able to cope with complex visual structures)
familiarity with the particular genre of advertising
product involvement
14
Friday, March 13, 2009
68. Follow-up study 1: Juxtaposition and Fusion
are Fusions per se less complex than Juxtapositions?
example: anti-dandruff shampoo (source = vacuum cleaner)
15
Friday, March 13, 2009
69. Follow-up study 1: Juxtaposition and Fusion
are Fusions per se less complex than Juxtapositions?
example: anti-dandruff shampoo (source = vacuum cleaner)
Juxtaposition
15
Friday, March 13, 2009
70. Follow-up study 1: Juxtaposition and Fusion
are Fusions per se less complex than Juxtapositions?
example: anti-dandruff shampoo (source = vacuum cleaner)
Juxtaposition Fusion
15
Friday, March 13, 2009
71. Follow-up study 1: complexity of Juxtaposition and Fusion: Method
16
Friday, March 13, 2009
72. Follow-up study 1: complexity of Juxtaposition and Fusion: Method
82 participants
male: 56 %; female: 44 %
age: mean = 41, (SD=16,4); range: 16 – 64
experiment: 10 ads, each ad in two versions: Juxtaposition and Fusion
(between subjects);
16
Friday, March 13, 2009
73. Follow-up study 1: complexity of Juxtaposition and Fusion: Method
82 participants
male: 56 %; female: 44 %
age: mean = 41, (SD=16,4); range: 16 – 64
experiment: 10 ads, each ad in two versions: Juxtaposition and Fusion
(between subjects);
Design: each participant saw all ten ads,
either the Juxtaposition version or the Fusion version of each ad
16
Friday, March 13, 2009
74. Follow-up study 1: complexity of Juxtaposition and Fusion: Results
17
Friday, March 13, 2009
75. Follow-up study 1: complexity of Juxtaposition and Fusion: Results
Fusion is perceived as less complex than Juxtaposition (F(1,81) = 7.34, p < .01)
17
Friday, March 13, 2009
76. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve?
18
Friday, March 13, 2009
77. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve?
same ads, same questionaire
first exposure
explanation of metaphor; example:
“In this ad, the designer wants to express that Coca Cola gives you new energy, just
like petrol gives energy to a car engine.”
18
Friday, March 13, 2009
78. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
79. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
Explanation of the intended
meaning of metaphors leads
to
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
80. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
Explanation of the intended
meaning of metaphors leads
to
increased appreciation of
Fusion and Replacement;
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
81. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
Explanation of the intended
meaning of metaphors leads
to
increased appreciation of
Fusion and Replacement;
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
82. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
Explanation of the intended
meaning of metaphors leads
to
increased appreciation of
Fusion and Replacement;
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
83. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
Explanation of the intended
meaning of metaphors leads
to
increased appreciation of
Fusion and Replacement;
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
84. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
Explanation of the intended
meaning of metaphors leads
to
increased appreciation of
Fusion and Replacement;
decreased appreciation of
Juxtaposition.
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
85. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
Explanation of the intended
meaning of metaphors leads
to
increased appreciation of
Fusion and Replacement;
decreased appreciation of
Juxtaposition.
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
86. Follow-up study 2:
Is lack of comprehension the reason for the inverted U-curve? Results
Explanation of the intended
meaning of metaphors leads
to
increased appreciation of
Fusion and Replacement;
decreased appreciation of
Juxtaposition.
linear relation between
complexity and ad liking,
under the condition of full
comprehension
19
Friday, March 13, 2009
87. Communication and Information Studies
Cross-Cultural Differences in the Evaluation of
Visual Metaphors in Advertising:
Spain, France and the Netherlands
RaAM7
Thank you
Rob le Pair
Margot van Mulken
Friday, March 13, 2009
88. Material: no metaphor
Dove
Ford Nescafe
Renault Sony
Passoa 21
Friday, March 13, 2009
89. Material: Juxtaposition
Dove
Chenet
Nissan
Contrex
Citroën Picasso Seiko 22
Friday, March 13, 2009
90. Material: Fusion
Burgerking
Nivea
Coca-Cola
Real Butter
Toyota Peugeot 23
Friday, March 13, 2009
91. Material: Replacement
Ford Milk
Audi
Wonderbra Zendium
Pampers 24
Friday, March 13, 2009
94. Complexity: cross-cultural differences
Spanish respondents perceived all three metaphor types
as less complex than Dutch:
Dutch vs. Spanish T-Test Significance
No metaphor D=S - -
Juxtaposition D<S t(289) = -6.50 p < .001
Fusion D<S t(289) = -5.18 p < .001
Replacement D<S t(289) = -3.36 p < .01
26
Friday, March 13, 2009
95. Appreciation: cross-cultural differences
All four ad types were appreciated more by the Spanish than by the Dutch
Dutch vs. Spanish T-Test
No metaphor D<S t(133.18) = -3.47 p < .001
Juxtaposition D<S t(289) = -5.65 p < .001
Fusion D<S t(289) = -3.87 p < .001
Replacement D<S t(137.83) = -3.41 p < .001
All three metaphor types were appreciated more by the French
than by the Dutch:
Dutch vs. French T-Test
No metaphor D>F t(283) = 3.05 p < .01
Juxtaposition D<F t(283) = -3.73 p < .001
Fusion D<F t(283) = -2.07 p < .05
Replacement D<F t(283) = -3.10 p < .01
27
Friday, March 13, 2009
Notas del editor
Images are complex figurative arguments and need to be described in a visual rhetorical framework.
McQuarrie and Mick (1996) were the first to combine semiotic analysis and consumer response theories: their attempt to develop a rhetorical framework for both verbal and visual rhetoric in advertising is a good starting point.
verbal advertising communication far more often contains schematic devices, such as rhyme and alliteration, whereas visual advertising communication contains relatively more tropical figures, especially metaphors (Van Mulken, 2003).
Phillips and McQuarrie (2004) also point to the necessity to develop a refined framework for visual rhetoric, and metaphors in particular. There is still little consumer theory available for differentiating and organizing the variety of pictorial stratagems on display in advertising.
The idea is that \"specific pictorial elements can be linked to particular consumer responses and the palette of available pictorial elements has an internal structure such that the location of a pictorial element within this structure indicates the kind of impact that the pictorial element can be expected to have\" (Phillips & McQuarrie, 2004, p. 114).
Images are complex figurative arguments and need to be described in a visual rhetorical framework.
McQuarrie and Mick (1996) were the first to combine semiotic analysis and consumer response theories: their attempt to develop a rhetorical framework for both verbal and visual rhetoric in advertising is a good starting point.
verbal advertising communication far more often contains schematic devices, such as rhyme and alliteration, whereas visual advertising communication contains relatively more tropical figures, especially metaphors (Van Mulken, 2003).
Phillips and McQuarrie (2004) also point to the necessity to develop a refined framework for visual rhetoric, and metaphors in particular. There is still little consumer theory available for differentiating and organizing the variety of pictorial stratagems on display in advertising.
The idea is that \"specific pictorial elements can be linked to particular consumer responses and the palette of available pictorial elements has an internal structure such that the location of a pictorial element within this structure indicates the kind of impact that the pictorial element can be expected to have\" (Phillips & McQuarrie, 2004, p. 114).
Images are complex figurative arguments and need to be described in a visual rhetorical framework.
McQuarrie and Mick (1996) were the first to combine semiotic analysis and consumer response theories: their attempt to develop a rhetorical framework for both verbal and visual rhetoric in advertising is a good starting point.
verbal advertising communication far more often contains schematic devices, such as rhyme and alliteration, whereas visual advertising communication contains relatively more tropical figures, especially metaphors (Van Mulken, 2003).
Phillips and McQuarrie (2004) also point to the necessity to develop a refined framework for visual rhetoric, and metaphors in particular. There is still little consumer theory available for differentiating and organizing the variety of pictorial stratagems on display in advertising.
The idea is that \"specific pictorial elements can be linked to particular consumer responses and the palette of available pictorial elements has an internal structure such that the location of a pictorial element within this structure indicates the kind of impact that the pictorial element can be expected to have\" (Phillips & McQuarrie, 2004, p. 114).
Images are complex figurative arguments and need to be described in a visual rhetorical framework.
McQuarrie and Mick (1996) were the first to combine semiotic analysis and consumer response theories: their attempt to develop a rhetorical framework for both verbal and visual rhetoric in advertising is a good starting point.
verbal advertising communication far more often contains schematic devices, such as rhyme and alliteration, whereas visual advertising communication contains relatively more tropical figures, especially metaphors (Van Mulken, 2003).
Phillips and McQuarrie (2004) also point to the necessity to develop a refined framework for visual rhetoric, and metaphors in particular. There is still little consumer theory available for differentiating and organizing the variety of pictorial stratagems on display in advertising.
The idea is that \"specific pictorial elements can be linked to particular consumer responses and the palette of available pictorial elements has an internal structure such that the location of a pictorial element within this structure indicates the kind of impact that the pictorial element can be expected to have\" (Phillips & McQuarrie, 2004, p. 114).
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
To what extent are theoretically more complex metaphors effectively perceived as more complex?
To what extent are advertisements with more complex metaphors appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors or less complex metaphors?
Globalization / standardization versus localization / adaptatation to local markets / local target groups
Does one standard image fit? Or do consumers with different cultural backgrounds differ with respect to perceived complexity and appreciation of visual metaphors?
According to Kövecses (2005), the universality of metaphors can be questioned. He notices that the broader cultural context may override the universal mapping in metaphors. The Spanish, French and Dutch cultures differ with regard to the manner in which information is processed.
In a pre-testing phase, randomly chosen samples of advertisements that were published in Dutch ('Elsevier'), Spanish ('Cambio16') and French ('Le Point') magazines were presented to groups of postgraduate students of the Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. These advertisements had been developed for a broad audience by professional copywriters. The students were familiar with theories on metaphors in advertisements and coded the samples according to Phillips & McQuarrie's (2004) typology of visual metaphors. The results of this preliminary study showed that there were considerable proportions of all three metaphor types, as well as of the category 'no metaphor'. On the basis of this preliminary study, a total of 24 advertisements were selected. Only advertisements that could unanimously be attributed to one of the four groups remained in our corpus; we also took care that within each category the same product types were represented: cars, food & drinks, and care products.
Care was taken that all verbal information, except the brand name, was removed from the original advertisements. To control for order effects, two versions were developed in which the order of advertisements was reversed. A questionnaire was developed to measure respondents' comprehension and appreciation of the ads. Two bilingual colleagues specialised in cross-cultural research checked and approved the translation of the Dutch questionnaire into French and Spanish.
In a pre-testing phase, randomly chosen samples of advertisements that were published in Dutch ('Elsevier'), Spanish ('Cambio16') and French ('Le Point') magazines were presented to groups of postgraduate students of the Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. These advertisements had been developed for a broad audience by professional copywriters. The students were familiar with theories on metaphors in advertisements and coded the samples according to Phillips & McQuarrie's (2004) typology of visual metaphors. The results of this preliminary study showed that there were considerable proportions of all three metaphor types, as well as of the category 'no metaphor'. On the basis of this preliminary study, a total of 24 advertisements were selected. Only advertisements that could unanimously be attributed to one of the four groups remained in our corpus; we also took care that within each category the same product types were represented: cars, food & drinks, and care products.
Care was taken that all verbal information, except the brand name, was removed from the original advertisements. To control for order effects, two versions were developed in which the order of advertisements was reversed. A questionnaire was developed to measure respondents' comprehension and appreciation of the ads. Two bilingual colleagues specialised in cross-cultural research checked and approved the translation of the Dutch questionnaire into French and Spanish.
In a pre-testing phase, randomly chosen samples of advertisements that were published in Dutch ('Elsevier'), Spanish ('Cambio16') and French ('Le Point') magazines were presented to groups of postgraduate students of the Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. These advertisements had been developed for a broad audience by professional copywriters. The students were familiar with theories on metaphors in advertisements and coded the samples according to Phillips & McQuarrie's (2004) typology of visual metaphors. The results of this preliminary study showed that there were considerable proportions of all three metaphor types, as well as of the category 'no metaphor'. On the basis of this preliminary study, a total of 24 advertisements were selected. Only advertisements that could unanimously be attributed to one of the four groups remained in our corpus; we also took care that within each category the same product types were represented: cars, food & drinks, and care products.
Care was taken that all verbal information, except the brand name, was removed from the original advertisements. To control for order effects, two versions were developed in which the order of advertisements was reversed. A questionnaire was developed to measure respondents' comprehension and appreciation of the ads. Two bilingual colleagues specialised in cross-cultural research checked and approved the translation of the Dutch questionnaire into French and Spanish.
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
Complexity was operationalized in two questions. The reliability of these scales was high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .86 to .98, and an n-weighted average of .93.
Appreciation was operationalized as follows: participants were invited to evaluate each advertisement in terms of being 'well-chosen', 'appealing', and of a 'positive judgement. The reliability of these scales was also high in all three groups, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from .88 to .96, and an n-weighted average of .90.
evaluations on a 7-point Likert scale
We had expected an increasing complexity represented by the blue dotted line;
But 'Fusion' appeared to be less complex than Juxtaposition
We found significant differences in perceived complexity for all four types of visual structures (F1 (3,369) = 51.01, p < .001, Wilks’ Lambda = .78, η2 = .29; F2 (3,20) = 2.54, p = .085, η2 = .28). Pairwise comparisons of perceived complexity showed that all four types of visual structure differed significantly from each other, and that all three types of metaphor were perceived as more complex than 'no metaphor'. The most complex visual metaphor was Replacement, and contrary to Phillips and McQuarrie's (2004) model, Fusion was experienced as less complex than Juxtaposition.
We had expected an increasing complexity represented by the blue dotted line;
But 'Fusion' appeared to be less complex than Juxtaposition
We found significant differences in perceived complexity for all four types of visual structures (F1 (3,369) = 51.01, p < .001, Wilks’ Lambda = .78, η2 = .29; F2 (3,20) = 2.54, p = .085, η2 = .28). Pairwise comparisons of perceived complexity showed that all four types of visual structure differed significantly from each other, and that all three types of metaphor were perceived as more complex than 'no metaphor'. The most complex visual metaphor was Replacement, and contrary to Phillips and McQuarrie's (2004) model, Fusion was experienced as less complex than Juxtaposition.
We had expected an increasing complexity represented by the blue dotted line;
But 'Fusion' appeared to be less complex than Juxtaposition
We found significant differences in perceived complexity for all four types of visual structures (F1 (3,369) = 51.01, p < .001, Wilks’ Lambda = .78, η2 = .29; F2 (3,20) = 2.54, p = .085, η2 = .28). Pairwise comparisons of perceived complexity showed that all four types of visual structure differed significantly from each other, and that all three types of metaphor were perceived as more complex than 'no metaphor'. The most complex visual metaphor was Replacement, and contrary to Phillips and McQuarrie's (2004) model, Fusion was experienced as less complex than Juxtaposition.
We had expected an increasing complexity represented by the blue dotted line;
But 'Fusion' appeared to be less complex than Juxtaposition
We found significant differences in perceived complexity for all four types of visual structures (F1 (3,369) = 51.01, p < .001, Wilks’ Lambda = .78, η2 = .29; F2 (3,20) = 2.54, p = .085, η2 = .28). Pairwise comparisons of perceived complexity showed that all four types of visual structure differed significantly from each other, and that all three types of metaphor were perceived as more complex than 'no metaphor'. The most complex visual metaphor was Replacement, and contrary to Phillips and McQuarrie's (2004) model, Fusion was experienced as less complex than Juxtaposition.
We had expected an increasing complexity represented by the blue dotted line;
But 'Fusion' appeared to be less complex than Juxtaposition
We found significant differences in perceived complexity for all four types of visual structures (F1 (3,369) = 51.01, p < .001, Wilks’ Lambda = .78, η2 = .29; F2 (3,20) = 2.54, p = .085, η2 = .28). Pairwise comparisons of perceived complexity showed that all four types of visual structure differed significantly from each other, and that all three types of metaphor were perceived as more complex than 'no metaphor'. The most complex visual metaphor was Replacement, and contrary to Phillips and McQuarrie's (2004) model, Fusion was experienced as less complex than Juxtaposition.
We had expected an increasing complexity represented by the blue dotted line;
But 'Fusion' appeared to be less complex than Juxtaposition
We found significant differences in perceived complexity for all four types of visual structures (F1 (3,369) = 51.01, p < .001, Wilks’ Lambda = .78, η2 = .29; F2 (3,20) = 2.54, p = .085, η2 = .28). Pairwise comparisons of perceived complexity showed that all four types of visual structure differed significantly from each other, and that all three types of metaphor were perceived as more complex than 'no metaphor'. The most complex visual metaphor was Replacement, and contrary to Phillips and McQuarrie's (2004) model, Fusion was experienced as less complex than Juxtaposition.
We had expected an increasing complexity represented by the blue dotted line;
But 'Fusion' appeared to be less complex than Juxtaposition
We found significant differences in perceived complexity for all four types of visual structures (F1 (3,369) = 51.01, p < .001, Wilks’ Lambda = .78, η2 = .29; F2 (3,20) = 2.54, p = .085, η2 = .28). Pairwise comparisons of perceived complexity showed that all four types of visual structure differed significantly from each other, and that all three types of metaphor were perceived as more complex than 'no metaphor'. The most complex visual metaphor was Replacement, and contrary to Phillips and McQuarrie's (2004) model, Fusion was experienced as less complex than Juxtaposition.
For the French respondents metaphor type had no significant effect at all on perceived complexity.
The Spanish respondents showed an increasing perceived complexity, which was in line with the increasing complexity predicted by Phillips and McQuarrie (2004), with the exception that Juxtaposition and Fusion were perceived as equally complex. The Dutch respondents showed a pattern of perceived complexity which at first sight is similar to that of the Spanish respondents. The pattern differed, however, at the level of Juxtaposition, which was perceived as equally complex as Replacement by the Dutch respondents. Both types of metaphor, Juxtaposition and Replacement were perceived as significanty more complex than Fusion.
We have no indications of what could be the reason for the surprising result in the French group. There might have been a tendency in this group to opt for 'safe answers' in the middle of the two complexity scales.
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) were reluctant in expressing that visually complex ads were difficult to understand;
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) are more used to complex, implicit (visual) communication high-context culture.
T-tests revealed that for the Spanish respondents all three types of metaphor were significantly less complex than for the Dutch respondents.
Since for the Dutch and the Spanish respondents 'no metaphor' was equally complex, this seems to indicate a difference in processing visual metaphors,which seems to be easier for the Spanish respondents than for the Dutch respondents.
For the French respondents metaphor type had no significant effect at all on perceived complexity.
The Spanish respondents showed an increasing perceived complexity, which was in line with the increasing complexity predicted by Phillips and McQuarrie (2004), with the exception that Juxtaposition and Fusion were perceived as equally complex. The Dutch respondents showed a pattern of perceived complexity which at first sight is similar to that of the Spanish respondents. The pattern differed, however, at the level of Juxtaposition, which was perceived as equally complex as Replacement by the Dutch respondents. Both types of metaphor, Juxtaposition and Replacement were perceived as significanty more complex than Fusion.
We have no indications of what could be the reason for the surprising result in the French group. There might have been a tendency in this group to opt for 'safe answers' in the middle of the two complexity scales.
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) were reluctant in expressing that visually complex ads were difficult to understand;
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) are more used to complex, implicit (visual) communication high-context culture.
T-tests revealed that for the Spanish respondents all three types of metaphor were significantly less complex than for the Dutch respondents.
Since for the Dutch and the Spanish respondents 'no metaphor' was equally complex, this seems to indicate a difference in processing visual metaphors,which seems to be easier for the Spanish respondents than for the Dutch respondents.
For the French respondents metaphor type had no significant effect at all on perceived complexity.
The Spanish respondents showed an increasing perceived complexity, which was in line with the increasing complexity predicted by Phillips and McQuarrie (2004), with the exception that Juxtaposition and Fusion were perceived as equally complex. The Dutch respondents showed a pattern of perceived complexity which at first sight is similar to that of the Spanish respondents. The pattern differed, however, at the level of Juxtaposition, which was perceived as equally complex as Replacement by the Dutch respondents. Both types of metaphor, Juxtaposition and Replacement were perceived as significanty more complex than Fusion.
We have no indications of what could be the reason for the surprising result in the French group. There might have been a tendency in this group to opt for 'safe answers' in the middle of the two complexity scales.
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) were reluctant in expressing that visually complex ads were difficult to understand;
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) are more used to complex, implicit (visual) communication high-context culture.
T-tests revealed that for the Spanish respondents all three types of metaphor were significantly less complex than for the Dutch respondents.
Since for the Dutch and the Spanish respondents 'no metaphor' was equally complex, this seems to indicate a difference in processing visual metaphors,which seems to be easier for the Spanish respondents than for the Dutch respondents.
For the French respondents metaphor type had no significant effect at all on perceived complexity.
The Spanish respondents showed an increasing perceived complexity, which was in line with the increasing complexity predicted by Phillips and McQuarrie (2004), with the exception that Juxtaposition and Fusion were perceived as equally complex. The Dutch respondents showed a pattern of perceived complexity which at first sight is similar to that of the Spanish respondents. The pattern differed, however, at the level of Juxtaposition, which was perceived as equally complex as Replacement by the Dutch respondents. Both types of metaphor, Juxtaposition and Replacement were perceived as significanty more complex than Fusion.
We have no indications of what could be the reason for the surprising result in the French group. There might have been a tendency in this group to opt for 'safe answers' in the middle of the two complexity scales.
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) were reluctant in expressing that visually complex ads were difficult to understand;
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) are more used to complex, implicit (visual) communication high-context culture.
T-tests revealed that for the Spanish respondents all three types of metaphor were significantly less complex than for the Dutch respondents.
Since for the Dutch and the Spanish respondents 'no metaphor' was equally complex, this seems to indicate a difference in processing visual metaphors,which seems to be easier for the Spanish respondents than for the Dutch respondents.
For the French respondents metaphor type had no significant effect at all on perceived complexity.
The Spanish respondents showed an increasing perceived complexity, which was in line with the increasing complexity predicted by Phillips and McQuarrie (2004), with the exception that Juxtaposition and Fusion were perceived as equally complex. The Dutch respondents showed a pattern of perceived complexity which at first sight is similar to that of the Spanish respondents. The pattern differed, however, at the level of Juxtaposition, which was perceived as equally complex as Replacement by the Dutch respondents. Both types of metaphor, Juxtaposition and Replacement were perceived as significanty more complex than Fusion.
We have no indications of what could be the reason for the surprising result in the French group. There might have been a tendency in this group to opt for 'safe answers' in the middle of the two complexity scales.
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) were reluctant in expressing that visually complex ads were difficult to understand;
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) are more used to complex, implicit (visual) communication high-context culture.
T-tests revealed that for the Spanish respondents all three types of metaphor were significantly less complex than for the Dutch respondents.
Since for the Dutch and the Spanish respondents 'no metaphor' was equally complex, this seems to indicate a difference in processing visual metaphors,which seems to be easier for the Spanish respondents than for the Dutch respondents.
For the French respondents metaphor type had no significant effect at all on perceived complexity.
The Spanish respondents showed an increasing perceived complexity, which was in line with the increasing complexity predicted by Phillips and McQuarrie (2004), with the exception that Juxtaposition and Fusion were perceived as equally complex. The Dutch respondents showed a pattern of perceived complexity which at first sight is similar to that of the Spanish respondents. The pattern differed, however, at the level of Juxtaposition, which was perceived as equally complex as Replacement by the Dutch respondents. Both types of metaphor, Juxtaposition and Replacement were perceived as significanty more complex than Fusion.
We have no indications of what could be the reason for the surprising result in the French group. There might have been a tendency in this group to opt for 'safe answers' in the middle of the two complexity scales.
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) were reluctant in expressing that visually complex ads were difficult to understand;
The Spanish respondents (and maybe the French as well) are more used to complex, implicit (visual) communication high-context culture.
T-tests revealed that for the Spanish respondents all three types of metaphor were significantly less complex than for the Dutch respondents.
Since for the Dutch and the Spanish respondents 'no metaphor' was equally complex, this seems to indicate a difference in processing visual metaphors,which seems to be easier for the Spanish respondents than for the Dutch respondents.
We found a strong effect of Type of metaphor on appreciation of the advertisements
Pairwise comparisons of the appreciation of the different types of metaphor showed that advertisements with metaphors were appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors.
What might be surprising is the finding that the respondents showed a decreasing appreciation of the most complex metaphor, Replacement. It might be the case that too complex metaphors are judged to be too difficult to understand, and that this is the reason for the diminishing appreciation. This is also suggested by Philips and McQuarry (2004): \"complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, [...] will also be associated with greater ad liking. [...]. However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad\" (p. 129). In other words, Sperber and Wilson's (1986) second condition of 'optimal relevance' might not be fulfilled: the message is optimally relevant if and only if it puts the addressee to no unjustifiable effort in achieving the intended effects.
We found a strong effect of Type of metaphor on appreciation of the advertisements
Pairwise comparisons of the appreciation of the different types of metaphor showed that advertisements with metaphors were appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors.
What might be surprising is the finding that the respondents showed a decreasing appreciation of the most complex metaphor, Replacement. It might be the case that too complex metaphors are judged to be too difficult to understand, and that this is the reason for the diminishing appreciation. This is also suggested by Philips and McQuarry (2004): \"complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, [...] will also be associated with greater ad liking. [...]. However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad\" (p. 129). In other words, Sperber and Wilson's (1986) second condition of 'optimal relevance' might not be fulfilled: the message is optimally relevant if and only if it puts the addressee to no unjustifiable effort in achieving the intended effects.
We found a strong effect of Type of metaphor on appreciation of the advertisements
Pairwise comparisons of the appreciation of the different types of metaphor showed that advertisements with metaphors were appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors.
What might be surprising is the finding that the respondents showed a decreasing appreciation of the most complex metaphor, Replacement. It might be the case that too complex metaphors are judged to be too difficult to understand, and that this is the reason for the diminishing appreciation. This is also suggested by Philips and McQuarry (2004): \"complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, [...] will also be associated with greater ad liking. [...]. However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad\" (p. 129). In other words, Sperber and Wilson's (1986) second condition of 'optimal relevance' might not be fulfilled: the message is optimally relevant if and only if it puts the addressee to no unjustifiable effort in achieving the intended effects.
We found a strong effect of Type of metaphor on appreciation of the advertisements
Pairwise comparisons of the appreciation of the different types of metaphor showed that advertisements with metaphors were appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors.
What might be surprising is the finding that the respondents showed a decreasing appreciation of the most complex metaphor, Replacement. It might be the case that too complex metaphors are judged to be too difficult to understand, and that this is the reason for the diminishing appreciation. This is also suggested by Philips and McQuarry (2004): \"complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, [...] will also be associated with greater ad liking. [...]. However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad\" (p. 129). In other words, Sperber and Wilson's (1986) second condition of 'optimal relevance' might not be fulfilled: the message is optimally relevant if and only if it puts the addressee to no unjustifiable effort in achieving the intended effects.
We found a strong effect of Type of metaphor on appreciation of the advertisements
Pairwise comparisons of the appreciation of the different types of metaphor showed that advertisements with metaphors were appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors.
What might be surprising is the finding that the respondents showed a decreasing appreciation of the most complex metaphor, Replacement. It might be the case that too complex metaphors are judged to be too difficult to understand, and that this is the reason for the diminishing appreciation. This is also suggested by Philips and McQuarry (2004): \"complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, [...] will also be associated with greater ad liking. [...]. However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad\" (p. 129). In other words, Sperber and Wilson's (1986) second condition of 'optimal relevance' might not be fulfilled: the message is optimally relevant if and only if it puts the addressee to no unjustifiable effort in achieving the intended effects.
We found a strong effect of Type of metaphor on appreciation of the advertisements
Pairwise comparisons of the appreciation of the different types of metaphor showed that advertisements with metaphors were appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors.
What might be surprising is the finding that the respondents showed a decreasing appreciation of the most complex metaphor, Replacement. It might be the case that too complex metaphors are judged to be too difficult to understand, and that this is the reason for the diminishing appreciation. This is also suggested by Philips and McQuarry (2004): \"complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, [...] will also be associated with greater ad liking. [...]. However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad\" (p. 129). In other words, Sperber and Wilson's (1986) second condition of 'optimal relevance' might not be fulfilled: the message is optimally relevant if and only if it puts the addressee to no unjustifiable effort in achieving the intended effects.
We found a strong effect of Type of metaphor on appreciation of the advertisements
Pairwise comparisons of the appreciation of the different types of metaphor showed that advertisements with metaphors were appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors.
What might be surprising is the finding that the respondents showed a decreasing appreciation of the most complex metaphor, Replacement. It might be the case that too complex metaphors are judged to be too difficult to understand, and that this is the reason for the diminishing appreciation. This is also suggested by Philips and McQuarry (2004): \"complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, [...] will also be associated with greater ad liking. [...]. However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad\" (p. 129). In other words, Sperber and Wilson's (1986) second condition of 'optimal relevance' might not be fulfilled: the message is optimally relevant if and only if it puts the addressee to no unjustifiable effort in achieving the intended effects.
We found a strong effect of Type of metaphor on appreciation of the advertisements
Pairwise comparisons of the appreciation of the different types of metaphor showed that advertisements with metaphors were appreciated more than advertisements without metaphors.
What might be surprising is the finding that the respondents showed a decreasing appreciation of the most complex metaphor, Replacement. It might be the case that too complex metaphors are judged to be too difficult to understand, and that this is the reason for the diminishing appreciation. This is also suggested by Philips and McQuarry (2004): \"complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, [...] will also be associated with greater ad liking. [...]. However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad\" (p. 129). In other words, Sperber and Wilson's (1986) second condition of 'optimal relevance' might not be fulfilled: the message is optimally relevant if and only if it puts the addressee to no unjustifiable effort in achieving the intended effects.
Phillips and McQuarrie chose the vague term ‘impact’ precisely to allow for both positive and negative effects of moving down (and to the right) in the typology. Thus, figures that are
excessively deviant may fail to be comprehended (McQuarrie & Mick, 1992, in Phillips & McQuarry, 2004, p. 128).
When incomprehensible, figures typically cease to have a positive impact or, at least, will fail with some populations of consumers.
Phillips and McQuarrie chose the vague term ‘impact’ precisely to allow for both positive and negative effects of moving down (and to the right) in the typology. Thus, figures that are
excessively deviant may fail to be comprehended (McQuarrie & Mick, 1992, in Phillips & McQuarry, 2004, p. 128).
When incomprehensible, figures typically cease to have a positive impact or, at least, will fail with some populations of consumers.
Phillips and McQuarrie chose the vague term ‘impact’ precisely to allow for both positive and negative effects of moving down (and to the right) in the typology. Thus, figures that are
excessively deviant may fail to be comprehended (McQuarrie & Mick, 1992, in Phillips & McQuarry, 2004, p. 128).
When incomprehensible, figures typically cease to have a positive impact or, at least, will fail with some populations of consumers.
Phillips and McQuarrie chose the vague term ‘impact’ precisely to allow for both positive and negative effects of moving down (and to the right) in the typology. Thus, figures that are
excessively deviant may fail to be comprehended (McQuarrie & Mick, 1992, in Phillips & McQuarry, 2004, p. 128).
When incomprehensible, figures typically cease to have a positive impact or, at least, will fail with some populations of consumers.
Phillips and McQuarrie chose the vague term ‘impact’ precisely to allow for both positive and negative effects of moving down (and to the right) in the typology. Thus, figures that are
excessively deviant may fail to be comprehended (McQuarrie & Mick, 1992, in Phillips & McQuarry, 2004, p. 128).
When incomprehensible, figures typically cease to have a positive impact or, at least, will fail with some populations of consumers.
Complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, and will also be related to greater ad liking.
However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad so the outcome of ad liking associated with
more complex visual figures is likely to be subject to moderating factors.
A possible explanation is in line with the obeservations of Hall & Hall (1990), Callow and Schiffman (2002) and De Mooij (2004). It might be the case that for the Dutch consumers, being members of a low context culture, the lack of explicit information causes more difficulties in processing the (lack of) information when interpreting a complex visual message. Spanish and French consumers might be more used to processing implicit complex messages. Although this is a tentative explanation, it could be in line with the higher appreciation for the advertisements found in the French and Spanish (both high context) groups.
Complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, and will also be related to greater ad liking.
However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad so the outcome of ad liking associated with
more complex visual figures is likely to be subject to moderating factors.
Different preferences in expressing judgements:cultural response bias: 'acquiescence bias' (tendency to agree) or 'extreme response bias'
Complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, and will also be related to greater ad liking.
However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad so the outcome of ad liking associated with
more complex visual figures is likely to be subject to moderating factors.
Different preferences in expressing judgements:cultural response bias: 'acquiescence bias' (tendency to agree) or 'extreme response bias'
Complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, and will also be related to greater ad liking.
However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad so the outcome of ad liking associated with
more complex visual figures is likely to be subject to moderating factors.
Different preferences in expressing judgements:cultural response bias: 'acquiescence bias' (tendency to agree) or 'extreme response bias'
Complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, and will also be related to greater ad liking.
However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad so the outcome of ad liking associated with
more complex visual figures is likely to be subject to moderating factors.
Different preferences in expressing judgements:cultural response bias: 'acquiescence bias' (tendency to agree) or 'extreme response bias'
Complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, and will also be related to greater ad liking.
However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad so the outcome of ad liking associated with
more complex visual figures is likely to be subject to moderating factors.
Different preferences in expressing judgements:cultural response bias: 'acquiescence bias' (tendency to agree) or 'extreme response bias'
Complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, and will also be related to greater ad liking.
However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad so the outcome of ad liking associated with
more complex visual figures is likely to be subject to moderating factors.
Different preferences in expressing judgements:cultural response bias: 'acquiescence bias' (tendency to agree) or 'extreme response bias'
Complexity, within limits, is pleasurably arousing, and will also be related to greater ad liking.
However, too much complexity reduces comprehension of the ad so the outcome of ad liking associated with
more complex visual figures is likely to be subject to moderating factors.
Different preferences in expressing judgements:cultural response bias: 'acquiescence bias' (tendency to agree) or 'extreme response bias'
After the explanation of the visual metaphor, the advertisements with Juxtaposition were appreciated less, while Fusion and Replacement were appreciated more. These differences were significant (F (2,371) = 14.76, p < .001, Wilks’Lambda = .93, η2 = .07). Pairwise comparisons showed that the decreased appreciation of Juxtaposition differed significantly from the increased appreciation of Fusion and Replacement (and the increased appreciation of Fusion did not differ from that of Replacement). Apparently, explanation of the intended meaning of the more complex metaphors Fusion and Replacement led to a higher appreciation, while the explanation of the metaphor Juxtaposition decreased slightly.
After the explanation of the visual metaphor, the advertisements with Juxtaposition were appreciated less, while Fusion and Replacement were appreciated more. These differences were significant (F (2,371) = 14.76, p < .001, Wilks’Lambda = .93, η2 = .07). Pairwise comparisons showed that the decreased appreciation of Juxtaposition differed significantly from the increased appreciation of Fusion and Replacement (and the increased appreciation of Fusion did not differ from that of Replacement). Apparently, explanation of the intended meaning of the more complex metaphors Fusion and Replacement led to a higher appreciation, while the explanation of the metaphor Juxtaposition decreased slightly.
After the explanation of the visual metaphor, the advertisements with Juxtaposition were appreciated less, while Fusion and Replacement were appreciated more. These differences were significant (F (2,371) = 14.76, p < .001, Wilks’Lambda = .93, η2 = .07). Pairwise comparisons showed that the decreased appreciation of Juxtaposition differed significantly from the increased appreciation of Fusion and Replacement (and the increased appreciation of Fusion did not differ from that of Replacement). Apparently, explanation of the intended meaning of the more complex metaphors Fusion and Replacement led to a higher appreciation, while the explanation of the metaphor Juxtaposition decreased slightly.