Sensory or Extra-Sensory Input?A Study on the Experiential Nature of Source Concepts of Metaphors

Abstract

The aim of this study is to shed light on the type of experience people usein choosing the source concepts of theirmetaphors. To this end, the following research question is posed: Are sensory or extra-sensory experiences more determinative in choosing the source concepts of metaphors? Participants of the study were asked to complete a number of metaphors with possible source concepts. Abstract source concepts predominated at all times the use of concrete ones by the participants.Results of this study indicate that what is more‘experiential’does not necessarily mean ‘what is attained through sense experiences’. Our experiential world is complex and incorporates many feelings, emotions, and ideas which can be closer to our cognition than sensory experiences in choosing the source concepts of metaphors.