TY  - JOUR
AB  - Explanations play a crucial role in knowledge transfer and meaning-making and are often described as a co-constructive process in which multiple agents collaboratively shape understanding. However, the metaphors used to conceptualize explaining may influence how this process is framed. This study investigates the extent to which the co-constructive nature of explaining is represented in explaining metaphors. Using a systematic analysis of agency, we examined how these metaphors depict the explanation process and the roles of the agents involved. We established that explaining metaphors lack collaboration between explainer and addressee, constructiveness of the process, as well as bidirectionality and iterativeness. In light of current research on metaphorical framing, the study thus highlights the risk that such explaining metaphors may reinforce a non-co-constructive perspective on explaining and a top-down approach in the development of AI systems as well as other areas.
AU  - Porwol, Philip
AU  - Scharlau, Ingrid
DO  - 10.17619/UNIPB/1-2422
PB  - Universitätsbibliothek
DP  - Universität Paderborn
LA  - eng
PY  - 2025
SN  - 1664-1078
SP  - 1 Online-Ressource (Seite 1-13) : Diagramme
T2  - Frontiers in Psychology
TI  - Is explaining more like showing or more like building?—Agency in metaphors of explaining
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:hbz:466:2-56444
Y2  - 2026-01-12T02:39:28
ER  -