---
_id: '61244'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: 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 found
    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.
article_type: original
author:
- first_name: Philip Fabian
  full_name: Porwol, Philip Fabian
  id: '56681'
  last_name: Porwol
- first_name: Ingrid
  full_name: Scharlau, Ingrid
  id: '451'
  last_name: Scharlau
  orcid: 0000-0003-2364-9489
citation:
  ama: Porwol PF, Scharlau I. Is explaining more like showing or more like building?
    Agency in metaphors of explaining. <i>Frontiers in Psychology</i>. Published online
    2025. doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706</a>
  apa: Porwol, P. F., &#38; Scharlau, I. (2025). Is explaining more like showing or
    more like building? Agency in metaphors of explaining. <i>Frontiers in Psychology</i>.
    <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706</a>
  bibtex: '@article{Porwol_Scharlau_2025, title={Is explaining more like showing or
    more like building? Agency in metaphors of explaining}, DOI={<a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706</a>},
    journal={Frontiers in Psychology}, author={Porwol, Philip Fabian and Scharlau,
    Ingrid}, year={2025} }'
  chicago: Porwol, Philip Fabian, and Ingrid Scharlau. “Is Explaining More like Showing
    or More like Building? Agency in Metaphors of Explaining.” <i>Frontiers in Psychology</i>,
    2025. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706</a>.
  ieee: 'P. F. Porwol and I. Scharlau, “Is explaining more like showing or more like
    building? Agency in metaphors of explaining,” <i>Frontiers in Psychology</i>,
    2025, doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706</a>.'
  mla: Porwol, Philip Fabian, and Ingrid Scharlau. “Is Explaining More like Showing
    or More like Building? Agency in Metaphors of Explaining.” <i>Frontiers in Psychology</i>,
    2025, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706">https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706</a>.
  short: P.F. Porwol, I. Scharlau, Frontiers in Psychology (2025).
date_created: 2025-09-12T09:43:58Z
date_updated: 2025-10-27T08:46:28Z
department:
- _id: '424'
doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628706
language:
- iso: eng
project:
- _id: '127'
  name: 'TRR 318; TP C04: Metaphern als Werkzeug des Erklärens'
publication: Frontiers in Psychology
publication_status: published
quality_controlled: '1'
status: public
title: Is explaining more like showing or more like building? Agency in metaphors
  of explaining
type: journal_article
user_id: '56681'
year: '2025'
...