Body in Mind: The Role of Embodied Cognition in Self‐Regulation

Abstract

We review a growing body of literature that evidences the reciprocal relationship between body and mind, known as embodied cognition. We argue that an embodied mind may serve a functional purpose, aiding in self-regulatory processes. Specifically, we suggest that embodied cognition assists in self-regulation by increasing signal strength, encouraging appropriate goal-relevant action, and incorporating situational constraints to cue appropriate information processing styles. Furthermore, we propose that affect serves as the link between an embodied mind and self-regulatory action. Finally, we situate this research in debates on theories of mind, and we advocate for a highly interactive system that integrates information across modalities. Body in Mind: The Role of Embodied Cognition in Self-RegulationWant to increase the amount of attention you can muster to slog through the Sunday morning New York Times crossword? Try sitting upright instead of the more likely and more popular slouched weekend position (Riskind & Gotay, 1982). Need help achieving that straight posture? Think of the last costume party for which you convincingly dressed as Martha Stewart or Donald Trump…or any other act, in which you consider yourself successful (Weisfeld & Beresford, 1982). Historically, proposing that motor and cognitive systems are active bedfellows may have seemed as curious as claiming the palatability of pickles with cheese or chocolate on crickets. Indeed, many traditional perspectives on how the mind works advocate for an isolated, encapsulated cognitive system (Fodor, 1983). They argue that cognition functions with little more than minimal influence from sources outside the higher-order cognitive system. However, mounting evidence suggests that the interaction between motor and cognitive systems is strong and pervasive. In this study, we review research that suggests that bodily movements, like head nodding and shaking, exert a powerful influence on cognition in seemingly unrelated, incompatible domains-and do so outside of awareness. Judgments and decisions once described as effortful, deliberate, or intentional may be influenced unknowingly by seemingly unrelated movements of the body. The relationship, however, is not unidirectional, as cognition can reciprocally influence the body.While evidence attesting to these bidirectional relationships mounts, only recently have researchers and theorists begun exploring the pressures that have created, and the consequences of, these connections. In this manuscript, we suggest one of many possible answers to these inquiries. We suggest that embodied cognition might serve a functional purpose by aiding in self-regulatory processes. We further propose that affect plays a critical role in this process; body movements can trigger affective responses, which in turn act as a cue that self-regulation is necessary or discretionary. We advocate for interactive motor and cognitive systems, and argue against an encapsulated, modular theory of mind.Social and Personality Psychology Compass 3/...

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“…Recent research shows that goals need not be specific, as long as plans are, and that writing about life goals and plans in a structured way is especially effective (Locke and Schippers, 2018; for a review see Morisano et al, 2010;Morisano, 2013;Schippers et al, 2015;Travers et al, 2015). As goal-relevant actions may be encouraged by embodied cognition, and embodied cognition has been related to (dynamic) self-regulation, this may be the process through which written goals lead to action (see Balcetis and Cole, 2009). Specifically, through the link between cognition and behavior, it can be seen as beneficial to write down intended actions as this will lay the path to act out the intended actions.…”

“…Specifically, through the link between cognition and behavior, it can be seen as beneficial to write down intended actions as this will lay the path to act out the intended actions. The processing of the language facilitates the actions, as it consolidates the imagined actions (Addis et al, 2007;Balcetis and Cole, 2009;Peters et al, 2010;Meevissen et al, 2011). It has been suggested that goal-relevant actions may be encouraged by embodied cognition, through the process of self-regulation (Balcetis and Cole, 2009).…”

“…The processing of the language facilitates the actions, as it consolidates the imagined actions (Addis et al, 2007;Balcetis and Cole, 2009;Peters et al, 2010;Meevissen et al, 2011). It has been suggested that goal-relevant actions may be encouraged by embodied cognition, through the process of self-regulation (Balcetis and Cole, 2009). Writing about actions one wants to take and very detailed experience in how it would feel to reach those goals, may make it much more likely for people to subtly change their behavior and actions into goal-relevant ones (e.g., looking for opportunities to reach ones goal, thinking more clearly if one wants to spend time on certain activities or not, etc.).…”

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“…E Balcetis & S. Cole (2009). 'Body in Mind: The Role of Embodied Cognition in Self-Regulation' Social and Personality Psychology Compass 3:5. pp.…”