Abstract：Abstract: This paper reviews the progress of the empirical research on ERP in metaphor, summarizes the indicative function of ERP components, and initially reveals the cognitive and psychological mechanism behind the metaphorical phenomenon. It also points out existing demerits and forecasts the future development in hopes of providing enlightenment and insight for the research on the metaphorical processing mechanism based on ERP technology. This paper proposes that the study of metaphor should: 1) make full use of component variables, and start from the sensory channel, comprehensively explore the processing process of metaphor through visual, auditory and tactile channels, and actively apply a spectrum of technologies; 2) focus on individual differences; 3) pay attention to the similarities and differences of cross-language and cross-cultural metaphor processing.
Key words: ERP; neural mechanism in metaphor processing; ERP components; demerits and prospects
