Linguo-cognitive means of introducing cognitive biases in political discourse (by the example of A. Merkel’s speech)

This article is devoted to the study of cognitive biases in political discourse, using the speech of Angela Merkel at the 29th Congress of the Christian Democratic Union in 2016 as an example. The aim of the research is to identify linguo-cognitive means that are used to introduce cognitive biases into the process of information perception by the addressee in political discourse. Cognitive biases are considered as one of the ways of rhetorical influence. The article describes the theoretical and methodological foundations for studying cognitive biases and methods for their analysis. It is determined that cognitive biases can manifest themselves at different levels of the text – from individual words to entire fragments of the text. An algorithm for identifying and analyzing cognitive biases is proposed. The scientific novelty of the research lies in adapting the concept of cognitive biases to the analysis of political discourse and identifying the corresponding linguo-cognitive means that contribute to their formation. As a result, it was established that A. Merkel uses cognitive biases in her speech, such as the framing effect, catastrophizing, and emotional reasoning, implemented through strategies and tactics, linguo-cognitive mechanisms, speech techniques and means, aimed at influencing the audience and achieving political goals.