Embodied choices bypass narratives under radical uncertainty

Area of Science:

• Decision-making science
• Cognitive psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Johnson et al. proposed Conviction Narrative Theory (CNT) to explain decision-making under radical uncertainty.
• Current CNT models primarily focus on the role of narratives in shaping choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the scope of Conviction Narrative Theory (CNT).
• To propose an extension of CNT incorporating embodied choice mechanisms.
• To address limitations in explaining choices under radical uncertainty, especially in time-constrained scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of existing Conviction Narrative Theory.
• Integration of embodied cognition principles.
• Theoretical extension of CNT.

Main Results:

• Conviction Narrative Theory (CNT) may not fully capture choices influenced by direct sensorimotor factors.
• Embodied influences can bypass narrative processes in decision-making.
• Radical uncertainty and time constraints exacerbate the need for an embodied perspective.

Conclusions:

• Conviction Narrative Theory (CNT) requires augmentation to encompass embodied sensorimotor influences.
• An embodied choice perspective offers a more comprehensive framework for understanding decisions under radical uncertainty.
• Future research should explore the interplay between narrative and embodied processes in choice behavior.