This review aims to explore what I call the “Embodiment Cost Hypothesis” (ECH), according to which, when humans “embody” a part of the world other than their bodies, a measurable cost is detectable on their real bodies. The review analyzes experimental evidence in favor of the ECH by examining studies from different research fields, including studies of action observation (2), tool-use (3), rubber hand illusion (4), and full-body illusions (5). In light of this literature, this review argues that embodiment effects can profitably be seen as phenomena associated with both benefits (resulting from the embodiment of external objects/bodies) and costs (resulting from the disembodiment at various levels of the subject's own body). Implications are discussed in relation to the ongoing debate on the embodied cognition (EC) approach.

Embodied cognition: So flexible as to be “disembodied”?

Iani Francesco
2021-01-01

Abstract

This review aims to explore what I call the “Embodiment Cost Hypothesis” (ECH), according to which, when humans “embody” a part of the world other than their bodies, a measurable cost is detectable on their real bodies. The review analyzes experimental evidence in favor of the ECH by examining studies from different research fields, including studies of action observation (2), tool-use (3), rubber hand illusion (4), and full-body illusions (5). In light of this literature, this review argues that embodiment effects can profitably be seen as phenomena associated with both benefits (resulting from the embodiment of external objects/bodies) and costs (resulting from the disembodiment at various levels of the subject's own body). Implications are discussed in relation to the ongoing debate on the embodied cognition (EC) approach.
2021
88
103075
103090
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053810021000015?dgcid=rss_sd_all
Body representation; Disembodiment; Embodied cognition; Embodiment
Iani Francesco
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Ianì_2021.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 684.51 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
684.51 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1776800
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 1
  • Scopus 12
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 7
social impact