Beyond Transference: The Pedagogical Benefits of Metaphoric Critique and Construction

Abstract

Studies show that metaphors are a useful way to help people understand new or difficult concepts. The research is largely silent, however, when it comes to the question of whether it is beneficial to ask students to go “beyond transference” by engaging in metaphoric critique and construction. This paper explores how critique and construction exercises can be incorporated into the Political Science classroom. More importantly, it examines the results of a study designed to assess whether these approaches are beneficial from a pedagogical perspective.