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

Abstract

Metaphors are frequently used linguistic devices that have the power to clarify ambiguous topics. In turn, a clear and stable self-concept is important to psychological functioning. The current article examines the potential role of self-concept clarity in understanding metaphor usage. Study 1 found that self-concept clarity negatively predicts metaphor usage. Study 2 found that experimentally lowering self-concept clarity led to more metaphor usage in general, and that self-reported self-concept clarity was implicated as a potential mediating factor. Implications are discussed.