The power of the metaphor in human communication: what is true? The metaphor in theory and practice perspective in neuroscience

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Published: Jan 12, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2014.n1.v6.769
Keywords:
Metaphor indirect communication neuroeducation emotional processes

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Federico Pérez Álvarez
Universidad de Girona
Carme Timoneda Gallart
Universidad de Girona

Abstract

The metaphor is an indirect method of verbal and nonverbal communication. It is the basis of Ericksonian hypnosis. Indirect communication in general and Ericksonian hypnosis in particular are educational and psychotherapeutic proven procedures. We present their updated fundamentals in the light of neuroscience, their fundamentals based on current neuroscientific knowledge of human behavior and their application in educational practice and diagnosis - intervention of multiple learning and behavioral dysfunctions . It has been shown that the metaphor has a cognitive effect because conveys an idea - thought ( message) and also an analgesic- reassuring effect by means of a distraction effect associated with focused attention .On the basis that the attention span is limited, an attention focused on the metaphor in action ( Ericksonian hypnosis effect) determines that attention and associated consciousness disconnect from other cognitive contents (thoughts ) and their associated memorized feeling. While metaphor disconnects painful feeling, it causes an analgesic effect. This analgesic effect is key to avoid resistance to the transmitted message. On the other hand , it is a proven fact that the metaphor, as it is built with more specific than abstract knowledge, communicates a message (knowledge) more easily processed by the neural networks processing information , such that this makes easier far transfer of the conveyed message. The way of communicating that we describe appears to be extremely advantageous in the light of accumulated neuroscientific knowledge on the fundamentals of human behavior. Overwhelming growing scientific evidence shows that we learn and decide not so much according to what we know as according to what we feel. If so, interpersonal communication requires to fit this principle to be effective. Our work presents fundamentals and practical application of this reality that we present.

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How to Cite
Pérez Álvarez, F., & Timoneda Gallart, C. (2014). The power of the metaphor in human communication: what is true? The metaphor in theory and practice perspective in neuroscience. International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology. Revista INFAD De Psicología., 6(1), 493–500. https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2014.n1.v6.769
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Vol. 6 No. 1 (2014): PSYCHOLOGY AND MODERN WORLD
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Articles
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