Effects of Concrete Conceptual Metaphor on People’s Reasoning
Abstract
In this work, the effect of metaphorical language on people's cognition about concrete events will be tested. In order to do so, the study will exploit the difference in metaphor use in describing the extent of a car crash to evaluate the framing effect of the word choice on people's perception of a concrete physical accident. In the experiment, participants will be randomly assigned to read two versions of texts about a car accident with only different metaphor usages to describe the extent of the car's windshield breakage. Then participants will be asked to answer three multiple-choice questions that can reflect participants reasoning towards the severity of the car accident they have read. This study predicts that participants who read the "milder" metaphor version will perceive the car accident less severely than those who read the "severer" metaphor version, which can prove the influence of metaphorical language on people's perception of concrete events.
References
- Thibodeau, P. H., & Boroditsky, L. (2013). Natural language metaphors covertly influence reasoning. PLoS ONE, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052961
- Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Conceptual Metaphor in Everyday Language. The Journal of Philosophy, 77(8), 453–486. https://doi.org/10.2307/2025464
- Yunhui Huang & Lei Wang. (2010). Sex Difference In Framing Effects Across Domain. Personality And Individual DIfferences, 48(5), 649-653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.01.005