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Moral Imagination and Metaphors: How Members of the LGBTQ+ Community Use Metaphors to Make Sense of Moral Dilemmas in the Age of COVID-19

Zaloumis, E.A.M. (2021) Moral Imagination and Metaphors: How Members of the LGBTQ+ Community Use Metaphors to Make Sense of Moral Dilemmas in the Age of COVID-19.

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Abstract:As emerging moral dilemmas are expected to increase over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to increase understanding on moral imagination, which can help individuals navigate moral challenges. Previous research has shown metaphor to be an important element in moral imagination. This study aims to explore how LGBTQ+ individuals use metaphors in moral imagination when making sense of COVID-19 related emerging moral dilemmas. A virtual focus group was conducted, where 8 LGBTQ+ individuals were shown 2 drawings of moral dilemmas with corresponding questions that could stimulate moral imagination. A metaphor analysis revealed 1) an overall development of moral imagination, 2) a difference in metaphor-use for both dilemmas, and 3) a difference in the extent of imagination used depending on which overarching metaphor was adhered to. These findings suggest that dilemma complexity, interplay between person and dilemma, and giving individuals room to explore, play a role in stimulating and developing moral imagination. Finally, this study suggest that certain metaphors may produce a greater sense of agency and stimulate more flexible and creative mindsets to deal with emerging moral dilemmas which could be informative for communication practices that spread to the larger public.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/89039
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