Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Research on pernicious language tends to focus on harmful beliefs and associations generated by such language. In this paper, I explore the idea that pernicious language often carries harmful mental imagery. Empirical studies suggest that mental imagery is a pervasive feature of language processing. Furthermore, mental imagery prompted by language can influence our memories and judgements in an insidious way. Focusing on language containing misinformation about witnessed events, as well as pernicious generics and metaphors about social groups, this paper argues for the importance of mental imagery for theorising harmful language and suggests ways to counter the influence of the harmful imagery that language generates.
Source: Synthese
Author: Michelle Liu
Institution: Monash University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7166145137