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The way we talk about complex and abstract ideas is suffused with metaphor. In five experiments, we explore how these metaphors influence the way that we reason about complex issues and forage for further information about them. We find that even the subtlest instantiation of a metaphor (via a single word) can have a powerful influence over how people attempt to solve social problems like crime and how they gather information to make "well-informed" decisions. Interestingly, we find that the influence of the metaphorical framing effect is covert: people do not recognize metaphors as influential in their decisions; instead they point to more "substantive" (often numerical) information as the motivation for their problem-solving decision. Metaphors in language appear to instantiate frame-consistent knowledge structures and invite structurally consistent inferences. Far from being mere rhetorical flourishes, metaphors have profound influences on how we conceptualize and act with respect to important societal issues. We find that exposure to even a single metaphor can induce substantial differences in opinion about how to solve social problems: differences that are larger, for example, than pre-existing differences in opinion between Democrats and Republicans.
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... Their association with shaping thoughts has been reported by several researchers [2]- [5]. Metaphors influence the way information is assimilated and the inferences drawn from it [6]- [8]. They are used in every domain during communication, whether a scientific domain, a social domain or literature, in order to realize knowledge structures and 'provoke structurally consistent inferences' [6]. ...
... Metaphors influence the way information is assimilated and the inferences drawn from it [6]- [8]. They are used in every domain during communication, whether a scientific domain, a social domain or literature, in order to realize knowledge structures and 'provoke structurally consistent inferences' [6]. For example, in [6], metaphors were investigated for their role in reasoning about social policies regarding crime. ...
... They are used in every domain during communication, whether a scientific domain, a social domain or literature, in order to realize knowledge structures and 'provoke structurally consistent inferences' [6]. For example, in [6], metaphors were investigated for their role in reasoning about social policies regarding crime. It was demonstrated that the metaphor used to address social problems of crime influenced the proposed solutions. ...
The main goal of this study was to lay the foundation for the representation of written metaphors as Linked Open Data (LOD) on the Semantic Web (SW). To achieve this goal, this study proposed concepts and properties that allow metaphors from different domains to be linked. The use of the proposed formalism was illustrated through a case study of biblical data extracted from text, represented, populated, and queried to demonstrate the usage of the proposed ontological concepts. The proposed model reuses the FaBio bibliographic ontology to represent the bibliographic information of metaphoric data, and the OWL-Time ontology to represent the temporal aspects of events associated with metaphors. Examples from different domains are used to illustrate the implementation and population of concepts related to time instants and intervals. The notions of approximation and uncertainty in the description of the time of occurrence of events associated with the creation, publication, and translation of metaphors were also discussed. An important aspect of the proposed formalism is the representation of the qualities attributed to the vehicle and the target concepts of conceptual metaphors. This enables the identification of symbolism and interpretation of concepts in different contexts and domains. The proposed formalism was tested against a number of queries and proved to satisfy the information requirements.
... Analysing emotion-metaphors holds great promise as an alternative means for 'uncovering hidden or ambiguous meanings, probing taken-for-granted assumptions and working with groups who may have difficulty speaking' (Malvini Redden 2017: 5). And, emotion-metaphors offer unique insight into emotional and interpretive processes, valuably illuminating sense-making, problem solving and action (Thibodeau and Boroditsky 2011;Flusberg et al. 2017). Given that metaphors pervade political and media constructions of crime, law and justice 1 -provoking responses and shaping ideas for action-emotion-metaphor analysis has clear resonance for criminological scholarship. ...
... Metaphors, 'figures of speech used to compare one thing to another' (Malvini Redden 2017: 1), 3 in particular, are a common way for individuals to communicate their emotional experiences (Soriano 2015). Some estimate that English speakers rely on metaphors as frequently as once every 25 words (Thibodeau and Boroditsky 2011). Metaphors also offer individuals a way of expressing deeply felt emotions or traumas that would otherwise be rendered undiscussable in everyday work and life (Stanley et al. 2021). ...
... Beyond this communicative function, metaphors also inform how people interpret their social realities through a complex interplay of cognitive, affective and social-pragmatic factors (Thibodeau et al. 2019). Metaphors have been connected to a wide range of interpretive functions, including how individuals 'understand possible options, view the future, conceive of 4 • The British Journal of Criminology, 2024, Vol. ...
Metaphors pervade media and political constructions of crime and justice, provoking responses and shaping actions. Scholarship in adjacent disciplines illustrates that emotion-metaphors offer unique insight into emotional and interpretive processes, valuably illuminating sense-making, problem solving and action. Yet, metaphors are rarely analysed within criminology, leaving an important opportunity for theorizing emotions and their implications largely unrealized. We explore the analytical and theoretical potential of emotion-metaphors for criminology, using empirical research conducted in the penal voluntary sectors of England and Scotland. Drawing on focus groups with volunteers and paid staff, we analyse the metaphors that non-profit practitioners mobilized to convey how their work felt: (1) absurd and unstable, (2) vulnerable and constrained, (3) devalued and discarded and (4) risky and all-consuming.
... To be successful in school and life students must tap higher order thinking skills and research shows that these higher order skills can easily be developed using metaphors and analogies (Richland & Simms, 2015). In this respect, Gentner and Toupin (1986) claim that analogy is a fundamental cognitive process underlying most other cognitive processes (Hofstadter, 2001; for example, problem solving and learning (Brown & Clement, 1989;, 1983Thibodeau & Boroditsky, 2011), scientific discovery , and creativity (Johnson-Laird,1989;Ward,1998). ...
... In this way analogies aid in the transfer of knowledge by leveraging familiar concepts to understand unfamiliar ones (Hespos et al., 2020). It is therefore argued that analogies and metaphors can help students to learn to adapt, improvise, and think creatively, and strengthen their self-regulatory muscles with each hurdle overcome, mirroring the adaptability and resilience demanded by modern day businesses (Glynn, 2008;Thibodeau & Boroditsky, 2011;. ...
Students of strategic management are often inundated with a plethora of analytical tools from which they must chose a select few to help them to effectively analyse the forces impacting the sustainable competitiveness of an organisation. Choosing the right tool(s) can be daunting, yet crucial for understanding organizational challenges and crafting relevant and effective strategic solutions. This desk research study explores the utility of analogies and metaphors as pedagogical tools to prepare students to become adept in strategic analysis. Aristotle likened metaphors to puzzles, suggesting that, like puzzles, metaphors engage us in figuring out how one thing resembles another. It is during this active participation and interpreting that makes analogies and metaphors effective in making complex strategy concepts more relatable to students. Through the process of analogical encoding, this conceptual study argues that the medical analogy holds promise for effective scaffolding of students’ learning, demystifying abstracts and making them more relatable in addition to structuring thinking across domains as well as promoting critical thinking, decision-making, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and communication skills - key 21st century skills sought by industry. By leveraging familiar medical analogies, teachers or educators can promote learner-centred authentic learning, simultaneously enhancing the students’ learning experience.
... Additionally, the metaphors employed in sustainability discourse carry significant weight, as they shape conceptions of humanity's relationship with nature. Contrasting metaphors such as "nature as a resource" versus "nature as a partner" convey distinct values and ideologies regarding environmental stewardship (Thibodeau & Boroditsky, 2011). By leveraging metaphors that emphasize the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world, communicators can effectively convey the importance of achieving ecological equilibrium. ...
In our urgent pursuit of environmental sustainability, understanding the intricate interplay between language and ecological awareness is paramount. This paper explores how linguistic frameworks shape perceptions and behaviors towards ecological issues. Synthesizing theoretical frameworks from ecological psychology, linguistics, and environmental sociology with empirical research and case studies, the author attempts to explain the profound impact of language on environmental discourse and its implications for sustainability. Ecological language awareness is introduced as key, extending beyond word choice to encompass underlying meanings, metaphors, and narratives that shape our connection with the natural world. Despite challenges like language barriers and cultural hegemony, opportunities exist for fostering inclusive language practices and supporting language revitalization efforts. In conclusion, the author advocates for a nuanced approach to language in sustainability to inspire collective action towards a more sustainable future.
... 765). In a general sense, Miller (2006) believes that metaphors primarily involve grouping two or more things based on a shared characteristic and Thibodeau and Boroditsky (2011) talk about intricate and intangible ideas submerged in it. Thus, these arguments signify the omnipresence of metaphor; one can hardly escape the metaphor in human communication. ...
This paper examines the conceptual metaphors used in Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s autobiographical writing If I Am Assassinated. This autobiographical testament is the response from the death cell of the Rawalpindi District Jail to the allegations of the military regime in the form of the White Paper which is perceived as an authoritative report by an organization. The legal cum political response was smuggled from the jail and published in India shortly before his execution. The qualitative study concentrates mainly on the nature and function of the conceptual metaphors in this dominantly political discourse. To address this issue, the concepts of conceptual metaphor developed by Lakoff and Johnsen (2003) has been used as theoretical base. Finally, the identification and interpretation of the metaphors have established that the trauma conveyed through conceptual metaphors affects the politics of nationhood. Particularly, such metaphors present Bhutto as a supra-subaltern character in Pakistani politics who fights to the end for democracy and nationalism.
W czasach, gdy tzw. sztuczna inteligencja staje się integralną częścią dużych modeli językowych, osobistych asystentów czy np. tzw. inteligentnego domu, coraz ważniejsze staje się poznanie czynników postaw wobec niej i jej narzędzi. Obserwowany świt nowych możliwości identyfikowanych ze sztuczną inteligencją skłania do lepszego poznania metafor, którymi jest opisywana. Metafory stanowią bowiem nie tylko klucz do wyjaśniania nieznanego, ale mają znaczącą wartość heurystyczną, są fundamentem nowoczesnej racjonalności i mogą wypierać ludzki osąd oraz minimalizować uprzedzenia i krytyczną refleksję. Celem artykułu jest identyfikacja metafor oraz rozpoznanie ich performatywnej roli w dyskusji o sztucznej inteligencji i jej narzędziach. Przedmiotem badania są występujące w opisach mediów i nowych technologii metafory dominujące oraz mniej znane metafory chatbotów obecne w tekstach dziennikarskich, na przykładzie artykułów opublikowanych w opiniotwórczym The New York Times. W ramach badania identyfikujemy i analizujemy m.in. metafory „platformy”, „sieci”, „umysłu jako maszyny” oraz ożywione i nieżywione metafory towarzyszące sztucznej inteligencji i jej aktorów. Badamy ich perswazyjny charakter i cele tej perswazji.
This paper offers a study of the foodstuffs used by speakers of Peninsular Spanish when referring to an attractive individual. Two online forums were scanned to automatically search for linguistic realizations of the metaphor an attractive individual is appetizing food . A corpus of 860 short texts was compiled, which contains the food terms used in context. The frequency distribution of the type of food and the variable of gender was measured. Results indicate a preference to exploit the metaphor through salty food products and that the foodstuffs used are highly dependent on the variable of gender. Contrary to previous studies (e.g., Caitlin Hines 2000 ; Irene López Rodríguez 2007 , 2008 ), the frequency of sweets and desserts is not higher with female referents. The findings do not agree with prior assumptions about the foodstuffs used in Peninsular Spanish to conceptualize attractive people and the cultural stereotypes associated with them.
Cognitive linguistics argues that most abstract concepts can only be conceived and
understood in terms of metaphors. Decoloniality, as an abstract concept, remains a
fervent point of discussion within the context of higher education in South Africa. This
dissertation aims to investigate the relationship between metaphorical expressions
and the conceptualisation of colonialism, coloniality, and decolonisation using
Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT).
The dissertation specifically focuses on the academic discourse surrounding
decolonization in South Africa, utilizing a corpus of 87 articles from various databases.
The study concentrates on identifying metaphors within this discourse, determining
the role of metaphors in conceptualizing the mentioned concepts, and exploring the
influence of these metaphors on our perception and approach to the discourse.
Emphasis is placed on the metaphor theory of George Lakoff (1993), Mark Johnson
(1987), Lakoff and Johnson (1980, 1999), Zoltan Kövecses (1997, 2010), and Joseph
Grady. Additionally, principles from critical discourse analysis are incorporated,
drawing from Michel Foucault (2002), Jonathan Charteris-Black (2004), and Alice
Deignan (2005).
The study aims to gain insights into the role of metaphors in the academic discourse
on decolonisation and further explore the connection between language, society, and
thought. It is argued that LIVING ENTITY, PHYSICAL OBJECT, CONFLICT, PHYSICAL FORCE, PHYSICAL STRUCTURE, and SPATIAL RELATIONS are the central domains for
metaphorical mapping in the corpus. Colonialism is metaphorically expressed
primarily as a living entity; coloniality as a complex structure, and decolonisation as
movement between spaces.
Le renseignement, en plus des connaissances scientifiques, implique l'inclusion de facteurs humains, socio-économiques et politiques dans l'équation et l'obtention, par l'analyse, d'informations et de prévisions en combinant tous les facteurs impliqués. L'analyse du renseignement est un processus utilisé principalement dans les domaines de la sécurité nationale, de l'application de la loi et des affaires pour donner un sens aux informations sur des événements, des entités et des problèmes. L'analyse du renseignement constitue la pierre angulaire dans le domaine de la sécurité nationale, de la planification stratégique et de la prise de décision.
Some 11.5 million people are held in penal institutions throughout the world, according to the latest edition of the World Prison Population List (WPPL), researched and compiled by Helen Fair and Roy Walmsley and published on 1 December 2021 by the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR), at Birkbeck, University of London.
The now-classic Metaphors We Live By changed our understanding of metaphor and its role in language and the mind. Metaphor, the authors explain, is a fundamental mechanism of mind, one that allows us to use what we know about our physical and social experience to provide understanding of countless other subjects. Because such metaphors structure our most basic understandings of our experience, they are "metaphors we live by"--metaphors that can shape our perceptions and actions without our ever noticing them.
In this updated edition of Lakoff and Johnson's influential book, the authors supply an afterword surveying how their theory of metaphor has developed within the cognitive sciences to become central to the contemporary understanding of how we think and how we express our thoughts in language.
Following is the continuation of the list of titles and authors: Pattern Recognition by an Artificial Tactile Sense. By Gen-ichiro Kinoshita, Shuhei Aida and Masahiro Mori. Trajectory Control of a Computer Arm. By Richard Paul. Application of Questionnaire Theory to Pattern Recognition. By J. C. Simon and C. Roche. Pattern Recognition by Quasi-Linguistic Translation into Artificial Noise-Resistant Language. By A. N. Radchenko. Nonparametric Valley-Seeking Technique for Cluster Analysis. By Warren Lewis Gordon Koontz and Keinosuke Fukunaga. Training for Extremum Determination of Function of Variables Measured In Names Scale. By G. S. Lbov. On the Classification of Patterns by the Karhunen-Loeve Orthogonal System Without Supervisor. By Shingo Tomita and Shoichi Noguchi. Augmented Transition Networks as Psychological Models of Sentence Comprehension. By Ronald M. Kaplan. Finding the Conceptual Content and Intention in an Utterance in Natural Language Conversation. By Roger C. Schank. Experiments with a Natural Language Problem-Solving System. By Jack P. Gelb.
Many decisions are based on beliefs concerning the likelihood of uncertain events such as the outcome of an election, the guilt of a defendant, or the future value of the dollar. Occasionally, beliefs concerning uncertain events are expressed in numerical form as odds or subjective probabilities. In general, the heuristics are quite useful, but sometimes they lead to severe and systematic errors. The subjective assessment of probability resembles the subjective assessment of physical quantities such as distance or size. These judgments are all based on data of limited validity, which are processed according to heuristic rules. However, the reliance on this rule leads to systematic errors in the estimation of distance. This chapter describes three heuristics that are employed in making judgments under uncertainty. The first is representativeness, which is usually employed when people are asked to judge the probability that an object or event belongs to a class or event. The second is the availability of instances or scenarios, which is often employed when people are asked to assess the frequency of a class or the plausibility of a particular development, and the third is adjustment from an anchor, which is usually employed in numerical prediction when a relevant value is available.
