Surreal digital illustration of a brain with metaphorical bridges.

Unlocking the Power of Cognitive Metaphors: How They Shape Our Thoughts and World

Jordan Keane in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Delve into the fascinating world of cognitive metaphors, exploring how these linguistic tools influence our understanding, creativity, and perception of reality."

We often use metaphors to describe abstract concepts, but have you ever considered how deeply these metaphors shape our understanding? Cognitive metaphors, a concept that has gained traction in recent years, are not merely stylistic devices; they are fundamental structures that influence how we think, reason, and experience the world. This article explores the foundations of cognitive metaphors, examining their impact on language, thought, and culture.

Think about common phrases like 'time is money' or 'arguments are war.' These aren't just figures of speech; they frame our perceptions. When we treat time as a resource to be spent or wasted, it affects our behavior. Similarly, viewing arguments as battles can lead to adversarial communication styles. Understanding these underlying metaphors can provide profound insights into our cognitive processes.

This exploration draws insights from a variety of perspectives, including linguistics, cognitive science, and cultural studies, and inspired by semantic researchers. By unpacking the fundamentals of cognitive metaphor formation, we can gain a better understanding of how language shapes our reality, and how we can use this knowledge to communicate more effectively, foster creativity, and challenge our own assumptions.

What are Cognitive Metaphors and Why Do They Matter?

Surreal digital illustration of a brain with metaphorical bridges.

At its core, a cognitive metaphor is a conceptual mapping from one domain of experience (the source domain) to another (the target domain). This mapping allows us to understand abstract or complex concepts in terms of more concrete or familiar ones. For example, the concept of 'life' (target domain) is often understood in terms of a 'journey' (source domain). This gives rise to expressions like 'navigating life's challenges' or 'being on the right path.'

The process of categorization plays a crucial role in cognitive metaphor formation. Categorization involves sorting our experiences into meaningful groups, which then form the basis for metaphorical mappings. E.N. Orazalieva describes category as a cognitive type of thought that allows to generalize and classify people's experience

Enhancing Understanding: Cognitive metaphors make abstract concepts more accessible and relatable.
Shaping Behavior: The metaphors we use influence our actions and decisions.
Impacting Communication: Recognizing cognitive metaphors can improve communication by revealing underlying assumptions and biases.
Driving Creativity: Understanding metaphorical thinking can unlock new perspectives and innovative solutions.

Conceptual systems, also known as 'conceptospheres,' act as organized collections of knowledge that integrate our experiences. These systems help us construct a cohesive worldview. As Z.D. Popova and I.A. Sternin note, conceptospheres are essentially 'collections of public concepts and data banks of thoughts'. Understanding the interplay between language and thought is key to appreciating the power of cognitive metaphors.

Embracing the Power of Metaphorical Thinking

Cognitive metaphors are not just linguistic curiosities; they are powerful tools that shape our understanding of the world. By recognizing the metaphors we use, we can gain valuable insights into our own thought processes and challenge limiting assumptions. Embracing metaphorical thinking can enhance our communication, creativity, and overall cognitive flexibility.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5539/ass.v11n18p82, Alternate LINK

Title: Fundamentals Of Cognitive Metaphor

Subject: General Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Journal: Asian Social Science

Publisher: Canadian Center of Science and Education

Authors: Gabit K. Hasanov, Akbilek P. Mynbayeva, Gaukhar Zh. Duisenbayeva, Gulmira T. Mukhamejanova, Kamar S. Aldasheva, Kalzhan T. Kongyratbay

Published: 2015-06-05

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are Cognitive Metaphors and why are they so important?

Cognitive metaphors are fundamental conceptual mappings where we understand abstract ideas (the target domain) through more concrete experiences (the source domain). For example, understanding 'life' (target domain) through the lens of a 'journey' (source domain). They are important because these metaphors profoundly shape how we think, reason, perceive the world, and ultimately, how we communicate. Understanding these mappings allows one to unlock new perspectives and innovative solutions. The work of Z.D. Popova and I.A. Sternin highlight the crucial function of 'conceptospheres', which are 'collections of public concepts and data banks of thoughts', and these illustrate how language and thought intertwine to empower cognitive metaphors.

How do Cognitive Metaphors influence the way we communicate and understand each other?

Cognitive metaphors greatly impact communication by revealing underlying assumptions and biases present in our language. For example, if we use the cognitive metaphor 'arguments are war', it might lead to an adversarial communication style. Recognizing these underlying metaphors can improve communication by making us more aware of how our language frames our perceptions and influences others. Also, E.N. Orazalieva underscores the role of categorization, defining a category as a cognitive type of thought that enables us to generalize experience, which is fundamental to metaphorical mapping.

Can you give some practical examples of how Cognitive Metaphors work in everyday life?

Certainly. Common phrases like 'time is money' and 'arguments are war' are examples of cognitive metaphors at play. When we treat 'time' as a resource to be spent or wasted, it directly impacts how we schedule our days and prioritize activities. Similarly, viewing 'arguments' as battles influences our communication style, making us more combative or defensive. These metaphors are not just linguistic quirks, but profoundly affect our behaviors and choices by framing our perceptions.

How can understanding Cognitive Metaphors boost creativity and problem-solving skills?

Understanding metaphorical thinking unlocks new perspectives and innovative solutions because it challenges our assumptions by providing new frameworks through which to see problems. By consciously recognizing and manipulating cognitive metaphors, we can break free from conventional thought patterns and approach challenges from different angles. This cognitive flexibility is invaluable in creative endeavors and complex problem-solving scenarios. Moreover, developing a deeper insight to cognitive metaphors will give people new ways to drive creativity.

What are 'conceptospheres,' and how do they relate to the understanding and use of Cognitive Metaphors?

Conceptospheres, as described by Z.D. Popova and I.A. Sternin, are 'collections of public concepts and data banks of thoughts.' They represent organized systems of knowledge that integrate our experiences and help us construct a cohesive worldview. Conceptospheres are crucial to understanding cognitive metaphors because they provide the underlying framework for how we categorize and connect different domains of experience. The interplay between language and thought is key to appreciating the power of cognitive metaphors.