Tue, Feb 24, 2026
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Research code: 244
Ethics code: IR.MODARES.REC.1402.068
Clinical trials code: ---
1- Tarbiat Modares University
2- Iran University of Science and Technology
2- Iran University of Science and Technology
Abstract: (14 Views)
Introduction: Numerous studies have demonstrated that comprehending counterfactual conditionals (e.g., "If he had woken up early, he would have gotten Sangak (bread)") involves activating two distinct meanings: (1) the conjecture (getting Sangak) and (2) the presupposed facts (not getting Sangak). The present study aimed to compare the timing and sequence of activating these two meanings during the comprehension of affirmative and negative Persian counterfactual conditionals.
Methods: Our database consisted of 256 short scenarios, organized into 8 sets of 32. In each set, half of the short scenarios were affirmative counterfactual conditionals, and half were negative. Using a visual-world paradigm with eye-tracking, we examined the activation of both meanings during sentence processing. Fixation probability data from 32 native Persian speakers (21 women, 11 men; mean age = 22.34 years) were analyzed.
Results: The results indicated that during the comprehension of both types of counterfactual conditionals, Persian speakers represented both meanings. They first activated and fixated on the presupposed facts before considering the conjecture. Eye-tracking data revealed significantly longer fixation durations on presupposed facts compared to the conjecture, across both types of sentences. Observations on how the specificity of presupposed facts influenced fixations in both types of sentences suggested that the higher specificity of presupposed facts in negative counterfactuals led Persian speakers to focus on them earlier, though fixation durations did not differ significantly.
Conclusion: Findings align with the Mental Model Theory and Reality Bias in the comprehension and processing of counterfactual conditionals in Persian.
Methods: Our database consisted of 256 short scenarios, organized into 8 sets of 32. In each set, half of the short scenarios were affirmative counterfactual conditionals, and half were negative. Using a visual-world paradigm with eye-tracking, we examined the activation of both meanings during sentence processing. Fixation probability data from 32 native Persian speakers (21 women, 11 men; mean age = 22.34 years) were analyzed.
Results: The results indicated that during the comprehension of both types of counterfactual conditionals, Persian speakers represented both meanings. They first activated and fixated on the presupposed facts before considering the conjecture. Eye-tracking data revealed significantly longer fixation durations on presupposed facts compared to the conjecture, across both types of sentences. Observations on how the specificity of presupposed facts influenced fixations in both types of sentences suggested that the higher specificity of presupposed facts in negative counterfactuals led Persian speakers to focus on them earlier, though fixation durations did not differ significantly.
Conclusion: Findings align with the Mental Model Theory and Reality Bias in the comprehension and processing of counterfactual conditionals in Persian.
Keywords: counterfactual conditionals, visual world paradigm, Mental Model Theory, eye-tracking, Persian language
Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2025/09/6 | Accepted: 2026/02/24
Received: 2025/09/6 | Accepted: 2026/02/24
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