Why do we use metaphors

Mental thought is built on physical thought, and we use physical metaphors to understand abstract concepts. This causes certain ideas, like social warmth and physical warmth, to be intertwined in our minds to a point where experiencing physical warmth can activate ideas of social warmth. This tendency for the physical environment to affect our reasoning can have dramatic consequences for how we form important opinions, including moral judgements. While we may like to think that our concept of morality is rational, based on careful reasoning, psychology research has shown that much of it is based on intuitive emotions, such as disgust.

And, like physical and social warmth, physical and moral disgust are also linked in our minds, which can lead to surprising consequences.

For instance, University of Cambridge psychologist Simone Schnall found that evoking a sense of physical disgust by exposing people to a bad smell caused people to make more severe moral judgements.

Metaphors, even when they are on the page, evoke physical sensations in our mind. Metaphors are physical and visceral, causing us to simulate certain sensations in our mind, which may be a reason why they hold such power over our thoughts. Metaphors lurk in our language, our thoughts, our assessments of people and situations, and even in the cup of coffee you are holding. Perhaps this is why we are so moved by poetry and art. Our brains think using metaphor, and when art gives us new metaphors, it could also be giving us new ways to think.

Outside the realm of art, we can be mindful of the metaphors that exist all around us and the influence they have on our thoughts. We can also be wary when others use them to try to distort reality or shape our opinions. Words matter, and if we are careful with our words, we can use them to make a positive impact.

Like poets, we can approach our language with grace and precision, crafting metaphors that are persuasive and give people new ways to think about issues. By providing your email, you agree to the Quartz Privacy Policy. Skip to navigation Skip to content. Feature structure examples Feature leads Nut graph Quotes on nut graph Background section Resources on the background section Quotes on the background section Body Quotes on the body in feature article structure Conclusion Quotes on how to write good endings Transitions Quotes on good transitions Other writing structures Quotes on how to organize an article Quotes on writing Writing newsletter Current issue What others say Archives Blog Calendar Why us?

About the trainer Contact Ann. Home » Writing tips » How to write creative content » How to write a metaphor » Why do we use metaphors? Analogies change the way we think Change your mind Metaphor has the power to persuade far better than literal language. Image by Angelo Cordeschi Why is a metaphor effective? Loading Comments His use of metaphorical language gives us a beautifully vivid impression of a mind full of bright, sparkling ideas that will not coalesce into a pattern.

Metaphor is a psychological as well as literary technique to help create understanding. For a writer, it is a way of using language to manipulate the way the reader responds. A metaphor has the effect of showing a thing in a way that shines a new light on it see, a metaphor about metaphors! Metaphor, which allows writers to convey vivid imagery that transcends literal meanings, creates images that are easier to understand and respond to than literal language.