Work

Metaphors as symbolic environment of the self: How self-knowledge is expressed verbally

Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: In current social psychology, the self is conceptualized as a "set of beliefs" (Baumeister, 1998). As there is no direct way to observe the self, a large part of self-knowledge remains tacit. Researchers mostly analyze "traces of the self" represented in language, for example as metaphors. It is argued that language can be conceptualized as symbolic environment individuals are socialized into much like the physical and social environment. In two studies (N 1 =12, N 2 =63), patterns of metaphors of the self were analyzed and related to self-concept aspects and the big five dimensions of personality. Theoretical and methodological implications for self-concept research are discussed.
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2761862636
FWCI: 4.822
Cites: 82
Cited by: 24
Related to: 10