We examined whether people can simultaneously apply two cognitive strategies in social categorizations. Specifically, we tested whether stereotypes concerning social power of gender categories interact with metaphoric power-space links. Based on the conceptual blending perspective suggesting that semantically consistent concepts acquire each other's properties, we predicted the following: Given that stereotypes create expectations linking gender with power, and metaphorically power is linked with vertical space, the conceptual blend of gender-power-space would invoke representations of male targets at the top vertical position when categorizing them as powerful, whilst female targets at the bottom when categorizing them as powerless. Across six studies, we show that the concept of gender is simulated spatially when people attribute power to male, but not female, targets. The predicted power-gender blending involved simulations of men judged as powerful when presented in upper location as opposed to women judged as powerful in upper location and men judged as powerful in lower location. Our hypothesis was further corroborated using pupillometry to assess pre-conscious processing, whereby stereotypically inconsistent orientations of gender and power evoked pupillary markers indicative of surprise. Our studies suggest that gender-power stereotypic expectations interact with the power-space metaphor in social categorizations. Word Count: 15 742 Running head: STEREOTYPES INTERACT WITH METAPHORS 3 Public Significance Statement: These experiments demonstrate that people can simultaneously use more than one mental strategy to facilitate their decision-making about social groups. The application of stereotypes that serve as mental shortcuts in social categorizations is combined with other mental tools, such as linguistic metaphors. People combine stereotypic expectations of gender categories (men are powerful) with metaphoric associations (powerful are at the top) and as a result, men are mentally represented in an upper vertical location. Hence, people's responses are facilitated when categorizing a man, but not a woman, in an upper vertical location. To reduce stereotyping in social categorizations, it is essential to address the impact of supporting mechanisms that interact with stereotypes. Running head: STEREOTYPES INTERACT WITH METAPHORS 4 Powerful men on top: Stereotypes interact with metaphors in social categorizations "Space: Literally it means nothing, a vacuum between stars and planets, but by the same token it means everything. It's what connects all our worlds." -Captain Janeway, StarTrek Voyager1While physical space exists in the distance between objects, space is also a medium that connects abstract ideas within our mental worlds. It provides context for our daily lives and interactions with other individuals. From our early days, we are exposed to physical spatial distances and orientations that are experienced through perceptual and motor capabilities. These experiences help shape our physical and mental ...