Abstract
The human mind is not a fleshless computer. Rather, sensing and acting are integral parts of human cognition. In particular, the body influences abstract cognition, judgments, and action. How far the body’s influence goes, whether or not there are any amodal (i.e., non-embodied) cognitive processes, is a matter of debate. We adopt a dualistic view, with both embodied and amodal processes influencing judgment and behavior. However, while amodal processes are well examined in psychology and are being applied to diverse problems in people’s lives, embodied processes are less well understood and less widely applied. Yet, the body’s influence on the mind can be harnessed for trainings and interventions. In the present chapter, we discuss how behavior might be modified from a dualprocess perspective, emphasizing different embodiment mechanisms. Additionally, we mention some ways in which knowledge about these psychological processes might be used for trainings and interventions.
Embodiment is the notion that body and mind are closely related and influence each other in various non-trivial ways. Thus, current bodily states and action capacities can influence, for example, the thoughts and feelings of a person.
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Körner, A., Strack, F. (2018). Embodiment: Reflective and Impulsive Processes. In: Hauke, G., Kritikos, A. (eds) Embodiment in Psychotherapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92889-0_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92889-0_8
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