“Cognitive mechanism” as a metaphor for the dynamics of mental processes in scientific discourse

The article examines the term “cognitive mechanism” as a metaphor for the dynamics of mental processes in scientific discourse. Originating during the cognitive revolution of 1956–1965, it undergoes trans-terminologization from psychology to linguistics, neurosciences, etc., retaining a core of structural organization and procedural dynamics of cognition (input–output). In cognitive psychology, it denotes systems of operations (attention, memory, control) studied experimentally; in cognitive linguistics mechanisms of categorization, metaphor, profiling, focusing on semanticization. Differences are interdisciplinary: psychology emphasizes behavioral parameters, linguistics meaning and pragmatics. The term is interdisciplinary yet transdisciplinary in modifying features. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that it demonstrates metaphorization through the concept of “mechanism”, which models the temporal dynamics of mental processes.

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