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Author Spotlight: Deciphering the Cognitive and Neural Mechanisms of Gesture in Communication
Published on: January 26, 2024
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Toward a more embedded/extended perspective on the cognitive function of gestures
Wim T J L Pouw1, Jacqueline A de Nooijer1, Tamara van Gog1
1Department of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Psychology
|May 6, 2014
Summary
Gestures act as external cognitive tools, supporting internal thought processes by providing a physical presence. This perspective extends beyond traditional sensorimotor theories of embodied cognition.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Embodied Cognition
- Psychology
Background:
- Gestures are traditionally viewed as indicators of embodied cognition, linked to sensorimotor neural precursors.
- Current theories often overlook how bodily acts like gestures fulfill cognitive functions.
- Existing research lacks a comprehensive explanation for the intra-cognitive role of gestures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review theories and research on the intra-cognitive role of gestures.
- To propose an embedded/extended cognition framework for understanding gesture function.
- To explore how gestures serve as external cognitive tools.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current theories and research on gestures and cognition.
- Theoretical analysis integrating embodied, embedded, and extended cognition frameworks.
- Comparison of gesture use with human environmental interaction during cognitive tasks.
Main Results:
- Extant theories of embodied cognition are limited by their focus on sensorimotor aspects.
- Gestures function as external physical tools that support and externalize internal cognitive processes.
- There is significant overlap between how the cognitive system uses its environment and how gestures are employed in thinking.
Conclusions:
- Gestures provide a stable, external physical and visual presence that facilitates thinking.
- Adopting an embedded/extended cognition perspective enhances the understanding of gestures' cognitive functions.
- Further research should investigate the embedded/extended cognitive role of gestures.
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