Seeing Isn’t Always Believing: Case Studies of Pictorial Metaphors in Cross-Cultural Communication
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In the age of images, people are constantly bombarded with visual stimuli, leading to instances of deception. This article examines three pictorial metaphors through the lenses of semiotics and cognitive psychology. First, it provides a redefinition and recategorization of pictorial metaphors. Second, it delves into the mechanism of pictorial metaphors: association, which consists of relativity, similarity and proximity. Finally, it presents three key takeaways: First, it’s necessary for us to possess a visual literacy to adapt to the image-saturated era. Second, pictorial metaphor is a means to transfer emotions and attain emotional value. Third, it is crucial for us to maintain a critical awareness of visual narratives.
Authors: Wensheng Deng, Xiangyu Xu, Qianni Han, Jiachen Cui, Huaqi Wang, Wenqi Wei, Fuyang Xia
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408175103