Embodied Cognition
Oxford Handbooks Online May 1, 2012 Lawrence A. Shapiro 8 citations
Embodied cognition offers an alternative to cognitivism by arguing that cognition is not merely computational manipulation of static representations. Cognitivism treats the mind as a passive receptor that transforms input representations (e.g., shading) into outputs (e.g., shape) via algorithms, requiring isolated experimental stimuli. Gibson's theory of perception instead holds that information in the optic array directly specifies opportunities for action, allowing active observers to perceive their world relative to their needs without further mental embellishment. Embodied cognition researchers propose this as a new framework for studying the mind, emphasizing the role of the body and environment in shaping cognitive processes.