Kupferberg, Irit; Green, David. 1998. Metaphors enhance radio problem discussions. Journal Article. pp. 103-123
Abstract
Problem-discussion radio programs involve callers with problems, discussed by radio hosts. An analysis of 30 calls suggests that callers who use personal stories and organizing metaphors have successful interactions. Organizing metaphors are defined as cognitive elements that summarize recursive story-internal patterns hierarchically and present a caller's succinct evaluation of self. The connection established in spoken discourse between stories and organizing metaphors is interpreted as an indication that metaphors may constitute a type of index, or generic personal memory in autobiographical memory.(Irit Kupferberg and David Green)Callers' use of personal stories or organizing metaphors on the outcome of problem-discussion radio program conversations is investigated. Anonymous callers' (N = 30) calls to a weekly problem-discussion radio program in Israel were transcribed into English; qualitative, discourse, and variation analyses of the transcribed data were performed. Using a modified framework of A. Liddicoat's et al (1994) and R. Buttny and A. D. Jensen's (1995) phases of problem-discussion interaction, the analyses indicated that callers who utilized personal stories or organizing metaphors during the reception phases resulted in more successful psychological interventions. Several additional variables that affected the calls' outcomes, e.g., technical problems and callers' trepidation, are noted. It is concluded that the use of organizing metaphors in both media problem-discussion programs and psychotherapy are beneficial to callers and clients.(LLBA 1999, vol. 33, n. 1)