Mental Representation Of The Vertical Spatial Metaphor Of Moral Concepts Of Juvenile Delinquent And The Reasons

On the one hand,the vertical spatial metaphor of moral concept in Chinese has been proved to have psychological realism,but due to the difference in participants,the mode of specific connection between moral concept and the vertical spatial location is different either. On the other hand,the group of Juvenile delinquents are special,so it has important theoretical and realistic significance to do research in them. Therefore, this study aims to explore the mental representation and reasons of juvenile delinquents’ the vertical spatial of moral concept through three experiments.Experiment 1 and 2 use implicit association test(IAT)and forced-choose test in paper and pencil respectively to inspect whether the juvenile delinquents have formed vertical space metaphor of the moral concept or not, if they have formed,what are the mode and strength of connection? Through basic information questionnaire and the Chinese criminal test subjects personality test(COPA-PI),Experiment 3 explores whether the demographic factors and personality factors of juvenile delinquents will affect vertical space metaphor of moral concepts or not.Results show that:under the condition of the unconsciousness and consciousness, juvenile delinquents have formed the metaphor connection of "moral is up,immoral is down", but compared with the general youth,the coupling strength is low and the cognitive factors played an important role in it; The cognitive development level of juvenile delinquents is low, but not distorted, there is a little bit matter on the abnormal psychology and crime thought in personality, but other aspects are normal, no visible flaws, this is the reason why juvenile delinquents form "moral is up,immoral is down" metaphor for the connection. But owing to their different cognition and personality matter with the general youth, the connection strength of metaphor is relatively low compared with the general ones; Re-education in prison can help juvenile delinquents form "moral is up, immoral is down" general metaphor and at the same time,the connection strength of vertical space metaphor of moral concepts can be improved under the condition of the unconsciousness and consciousness.