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Moving to solution: effects of movement priming on problem solving.

K Werner¹, M Raab

¹Department of Performance Psychology, Institute of Psychology, German Sport University Cologne, <location>Germany</location>

Experimental Psychology

|July 4, 2013

Summary

Bodily movements specifically influence problem-solving stages. Experiments show arm-swinging aids swing-like solutions and stepping aids step-like solutions, demonstrating a direct link between physical actions and cognitive processes.

Keywords:

embodied cognition movement priming problem solving

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Psychology
Embodied Cognition
Human Movement Science

Background:

Embodied cognition theories posit a connection between physical movement and cognitive functions.
Movement is hypothesized to impact both problem space creation and solution generation.
The specificity of this movement-cognition link in problem-solving requires empirical investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the specific relationship between distinct bodily movements and problem-solving processes.
To determine if particular movements prime or facilitate specific types of solutions.
To explore the influence of embodied actions on cognitive tasks.

Main Methods:

Seventy-two participants engaged in two problem-solving tasks (two-string and water-jar problems) with variations.
Experiment 1 involved priming participants with arm-swing or step movements.
Experiment 2 involved priming participants with addition or subtraction tasks using marbles.

Main Results:

Participants primed with arm-swing movements produced more swing-like solutions.
Participants primed with step movements generated more step-like solutions.
The addition group favored addition solutions, while the subtraction group favored subtraction solutions.

Conclusions:

A specific link exists between bodily movements and the nature of problem-solving outcomes.
These findings support the role of embodied cognition in cognitive tasks.
The demonstrated specificity allows for future research into movement's influence on problem-solving stages.