Structure-Mapping in Metaphor Comprehension Phillip Wolff, a Dedre Gentner b a Department of Psychology, Emory University b Department of Psychology, Northwestern University Received 6 April 2009; received in revised form 12 January 2011; accepted 19 January 2011 Abstract Metaphor has a double life. It can be described as a directional process in which a stable, familiar base domain provides inferential structure to a less clearly specified target. But metaphor is also described as a process of finding commonalities, an inherently symmetric process. In this second view, both concepts may be altered by the metaphorical comparison. Whereas most theories of meta- phor capture one of these aspects, we offer a model based on structure-mapping that captures both sides of metaphor processing. This predicts (a) an initial processing stage of symmetric alignment; and (b) a later directional phase in which inferences are projected to the target. To test these claims, we collected comprehensibility judgments for forward (e.g., ‘‘A rumor is a virus’’) and reversed (‘‘A virus is a rumor’’) metaphors at early and late stages of processing, using a deadline procedure. We found an advantage for the forward direction late in processing, but no directional preference early in processing. Implications for metaphor theory are discussed. Keywords: Metaphor; Analogy; Structural alignment; Career of metaphor; Embodied metaphor Metaphor lives a double life. On the one hand, metaphors convey insight from one domain (called the base [or source or ground] of the metaphor) to another (the target or topic). This view of metaphor is implied by the term metaphor itself, which in ancient Greek meant to ‘‘carry something across’’ or ‘‘transfer.’’ This view, the Directional projection view, emphasizes that in metaphor, information is projected from a familiar, often concrete base domain to a less familiar or less clear target. For example, in the metaphor ‘‘Some sub- urbs are parasites,’’ one’s knowledge of the base concept, parasites—that they profit from but harm the host—is projected to the target concept, suburbs. Or consider a more vivid example, from Cardinal Wolsey’s speech on being stripped of his position (Shakespeare, Henry VIII, Act 3, Scene 2). Here, the known base domain of boys floating on bladders (the 16th-century equivalent of inner tubes) is used to portray the course of ambition from glory to defeat. The point of the metaphor is to reveal the target. Correspondence should be sent to Phillip Wolff, Department of Psychology, 532 Kilgo Cir., Emory Univer- sity, Atlanta, GA 30322. E-mail: pwolff@emory.edu Cognitive Science 35 (2011) 1456–1488 Copyright Ó 2011 Cognitive Science Society, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN: 0364-0213 print / 1551-6709 online DOI: 10.1111/j.1551-6709.2011.01194.x