Lakoffs Strict Father/Nurturant Parent Model

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Category: FrameTank

Cognitive Metaphor

Rather than seeing metaphor as a decorative add-on to literal language, linguist George Lakoff developed notion that metaphor is a fundamental cognitive process underlying and structuring language by coherently mapping more concrete source domains onto more abstract target domains. For example, the metaphor ANGER IS HEAT, which maps the source domain--heat--onto the target domain-- anger--producing expressions such as "she's a real hothead." It can be combined with another conceptual metaphor, BODY IS CONTAINER FOR EMOTIONS to produce a number of other expressions: "You make my blood boil," "he's all steamed up," "Let her stew," etc. A Metaphor in this sense is called a conceptual metaphor (aka cognitive metaphor).

Family Models And Ideology

In his book Moral Politics Lakoff used his theory of cognitive metaphor to make sense of liberalism and conservatism, arguing that each derived from a different family model.

The Strict Father model, based on what's known as authoritarian parenting, is the source domain for conservative ideology. It sees the world as a dangerous place, beset by evil--which also defines our basic nature. It requires the exercise of moral strength to oppose evil, and obedience to the father who embodies that moral strength.

The Nurturant Parent model, based on what's known as authoritative parenting, is the source domain for liberal ideology. It sees the world as bsically good, though not without its dangers, just as it sees people as basically good, though not without their flaws. The primary goal is to nurture and protect the inherent goodness of children, so that they in turn grow up to be nurturing adults.

Both models contain the same elements, but with a different structure and emphasis. There is nurturance in the strict parent model, but it is strictly in the service of developing moral strength. And moral strength is important for the nurturant parent model, not as an end in itself, but as a necessary foundation for providing nurturance.