Spatial dimensions of social thought

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Space serves as the backdrop for our social interactions, with social thought evolving through its constant interplay with spatial dynamics. This volume illustrates the intricate connection between spatial and social thought by uniting research from diverse fields such as language comprehension, metaphors, priming, spatial perception, face perception, and art history. It reveals that metaphors often uncover deeper truths about how our minds utilize spatial information to conceptualize social ideas. Additionally, the findings highlight the flexibility of our cognitive processes with spatial metaphors, the influence of our physical bodies on our understanding of space, and the impact of brain asymmetry on spatial and face perception. The way we write—whether left to right or right to left—also shapes our perception and interpretation of horizontal movement and order. The evidence presented spans linguistics, social and spatial perception, and neuropsychology, integrating findings such as word comprehension speed, children's abstract concept depictions, hill steepness estimates, and even cultural references like Homer Simpson's positioning relative to Marge. The chapters provide a comprehensive overview of social cognition, emphasizing the crucial role language plays in linking spatial and social thought.