The scope and consequences of metaphoric thinking: Using individual differences in metaphor usage to understand how metaphor functions.

Abstract

People often think, feel, and behave metaphorically according to conceptual metaphor theory. There are normative sources of support for this theory, but individual differences have received scant attention. This is surprising because people are likely to differ in the frequency with which they use metaphors and, therefore, the frequency with which they experience the costs and benefits of metaphoric thinking. To investigate these ideas, a 5-study program of research (total N = 532) was conducted. Study 1 developed and validated a Metaphor Usage Measure (MUM), finding that people were fairly consistent in their tendencies toward literal thought and language on the one hand versus metaphoric thought and language on the other. These differences were, in turn, consequential. Although metaphor usage predicted susceptibility to metaphor transfer effects (Studies 2 and 3), it was also linked to higher levels of emotional understanding (Studies 4 and 5). The findings provide support for several key premises of conceptual metaphor theory in the context of a new measure that can be used to track the consequences of metaphoric thinking.

A study on metaphors used by female teachers to describe their work-related stresses and psychological exhaustion: reflecting on potential interventions

“…According to Lakoff and Johnson's theory of metaphor, everyday cognitive structures and linguistic models can be illuminated by exploring metaphors that allows us to investigate both individual and collective patterns of thoughts and actions. In other words, it plays an important part in everyday life activities concerning language, values, culture, thoughts and other mental functions [24]. Besides, the use of metaphors in conversations would help people communicate emotions and culturally embedded concepts, especially in the presence of potential obstacles which can be deemed against freely, explicitly expressing feelings and thoughts [25].…”

Grasping for Metaphors: Identity Ambiguity Contributes to the Preference for Metaphor Usage

“…In one study, participants who organized personal life experiences along a path (vs. organizing chronologically), and thus adopted the metaphor of “life is a journey,” perceived more autobiographical continuity between past events and their current self-concept if they were first primed with uncertainties about the self (Keefer et al, 2011). Furthermore, Fetterman, Bair, Werth, Landkammer, and Robinson (2016) showed that the tendency to use metaphor more generally is associated with the functional impact of emotional understanding.…”

Gender and Developmental Aspects of Metaphor and Metonymy Comprehension Processes

“…Variuje vzhľadom na kognitívne, osobnostné, kultúrne aj sociálne charakteristiky (napr. Kövecses, 2005;Neumann, 2001;Lakoff & Kövecses, 1987;Ansah, 2014, Kazmerski, Blasko, & Dessalegn, 2003Chiappe & Chiappe, 2007;Pierce & MacLaren, 2010;Glucksberg, Gildea, & Bookin, 1982;Colston & Katz, 2004) a metaforický jazyk má tiež špeciálne konzekvencie u prijímateľa správy (Fetterman et al, 2016;Landau, Meier, & Keefer, 2010;Sopory & Dillard, 2002). Napriek tomu, že vývinu jazyka sa venovalo už veľa priestoru, vývin figuratívneho jazyka, ktorého prototypom je metafora a metonymia, si vyslúžil iba málo pozornosti.…”