Embodied Cognition and Mental Representations Quiz

Study Notes

Abstract Concepts vs. Concrete Concepts

Abstract conceptual information does not heavily rely on sensorimotor areas.
No early sensorimotor activation was found in a study by Dalla Volta et al. (2014).
No interference was observed due to TMS impulses in a study by Innocenti et al. (2014).

Conceptual Metaphors

Abstract concepts are understood through metaphor, grounded in sensorimotor experiences (Lakoff & Johnson, 1999).
Examples of conceptual metaphors include "ANGER IS HEATED FLUID IN A CONTAINER" and "Grasp an idea" = "Grasp a cup".
Conceptual metaphors can elicit same motor cortical area activation (Boulenger et al., 2009).
However, this may be limited to less familiar metaphors (Aziz-Zadeh et al., 2006).
People tend to allocate concepts to spatial areas of a 3D cube in a way that aligns with conceptual metaphors (Marmolejo-Ramos et al., 2018).

Embodied Cognition

The traditional view of cognition is that it is abstract, stable, and similar.
The Sandwich Model: cognition is sandwiched between perception and action.
Barsalou (2012) proposes Flexible Embodied Cognition: cognition is largely grounded on perceptual and motor systems.
Strong Versions of Embodied Cognition: cognition is entirely grounded in sensorimotor processes, replacing the need for complex internal mental representations.

Evidence for Embodied Cognition

Action-Sentence Compatibility Effect: faster response when action performed by the participant is congruent with the action described in the sentence (Glenberg & Kaschak, 2002).
Sensorimotor system involvement: reading action-related words activates areas in the brain associated with the corresponding actions (Hauk et al., 2004).
TMS of somatosensory cortex facilitates recognition of action verbs involving movement of the respective extremities (Pulvermuller et al., 2005).

Reflection and Questions

Does intelligence require a body?
To understand the world, we must experience the world.
What do mental representations of concepts look like?
What about abstract concepts?

Description

Test your knowledge on the concept of Embodied Cognition and mental representations. Explore theories on how cognition is influenced by perception and action, as well as the traditional view of abstract concepts.