Influence of peripheral and motivational cues on rigid–flexible functioning: Perceptual, behavioral, and cognitive aspects.

Abstract

Recent research has shown that performing approach versus avoidance behaviors (arm flexion vs. extension) effectively influences cognitive functioning. In another area, lateralized peripheral activations (left vs. right side) of the motivational systems of approach versus avoidance were linked to various performances in cognitive tasks. By combining these 2 avenues of research, the influence of motor behaviors on flexible thinking was examined through the use of lateralized approach or/and avoidance behaviors. In 5 experiments reported in this article, a combination of the laterality and arm flexion versus extension variables successfully determined flexibility-rigidity functioning, consistent with the motor congruence hypothesis (J. Cretenet & V. Dru, 2004). Through these experiments, this result has been replicated with perceptual, behavioral, and cognitive aspects of flexibility, contributing to a better understanding of the relationships between bodily components, affect, and cognition.

Taking the Focus Away from the Self: Low Individualism Mediates the Effect of Oxytocin on Creativity

“…Low individualism is associated with belonging and affiliation (Hegar, 2012) why the current study empirically supports De Dreu et al 's (2014) suggestion that an approach orientation is responsible for the found pattern. This is consistent with findings showing that approach-based motivational states, like engaging in approach-relevant motor actions (Cretenet & Dru, 2009;Friedman & Förster, 2000) or possessing approach-oriented traits (De Dreu et al, 2011;Furnham & Bachtiar, 2008), facilitate creative output as they signal a benign environment in which one can OXYTOCIN AND CREATIVITY 9 unconstrainedly explore alternatives (Friedman & Förster, 2010;Schwarz & Bless, 1991).…”

Influence of Bilateral Motor Behaviors on Flexible Functioning: An Embodied Perspective

“…Recent work on embodiment cognition (Cretenet & Dru, 2009) corresponds to these results and stresses that flexibility could be influenced through the involvement of multiple motivational and motor activations. Added to a psychological perspective which examines the influence of approach versus avoidance behaviors (arm flexion vs. extension; Cacioppo et al., 1993) on flexibility, it has been shown in the neuropsychological domain, that two basic motivational response systems associated with cerebral asymmetries are activated by some lateralized motor behaviors (e.g., Harmon‐Jones, 2006; Sutton & Davidson, 1997).…”

“…The flexibility that follows from different motor and behavioral activations is one possible consequence of the architecture of the fundamental motivational systems (e.g., Berntson & Cacioppo, 2008). The congruence of the activations triggered by one unilateral motor behavior (Cretenet & Dru, 2009) and the match between two unilateral behaviors when bilateral motor behaviors are performed account for the function of the flexibility process. The most plausible interpretation of this result suggests that the match (or balance) between the different activations of the motivational systems through two unilateral motor variables increases flexibility, whereas the mismatch (or imbalance) between these activations impairs this flexibility.…”

“…Because these overt approach versus avoidance and laterality variables have been shown as both impacting flexible functioning and creative thinking, the effect of their combination constitutes a relevant support for studying an embodied phenomenon linked to different peripheral and motivational cues. The effect of the interaction between these behavioral and motor components on evaluative judgment (Cretenet & Dru, 2004; Dru & Cretenet, 2008) and especially flexible functioning (Cretenet & Dru, 2009), showed a congruence mechanism linked to the activation — by one lateralized variable and one flexion/extension variable — of the same motivational and affective system (Motor Congruence Effect; Cretenet & Dru, 2004). Performing a right flexion of the arm (two motor and behavioral variables that activate simultaneously the same system of approach) or a left extension (two motor and behavioral variables that activate simultaneously the same system of avoidance/withdrawal) increases perceptual, behavioral, and cognitive flexibility, whereas performing a left flexion or a right extension (two motor and behavioral variables that activate simultaneously the two different systems) decreases flexibility (Cretenet & Dru, 2009).…”

Reducing Stereotype Threat With Embodied Triggers

“…"), and effort ("How much effort did the motor action require? "; for example, Cretenet & Dru, 2009). Responses were provided on 7-point scales, along with mood ("How do you feel right now?"…”