Beast vs. virus: Metaphor shapes public opinion
Posted by staff / February 28, 2011
The public is more supportive of increased law enforcement if its intention is to tame a crime “beast” rather than cure a crime “virus.” The finding by researchers at Stanford University suggests the right metaphor has the power to shape public opinion.
“Some estimates suggest that one out of every 25 words we encounter is a metaphor,” says Paul Thibodeau, a doctoral candidate and the study’s lead author. “But we didn’t know the extent to which these metaphors influence people.”
Full story at Futurity.
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