Traditional views of human cognition often describe mental faculties as computations performed by the brain in isolation from bodily experiences. The mind and body separation implies that the focus of learning is purely an intellectual activity. The field of embodied cognition proposes that bodies play a central role in our thinking and learning (Macrine, 2022). Cognition is not just an isolated mental activity but is closely linked to physicality. This approach considers the mind as something that goes beyond the brain. The mind and body work together to aid cognition and ultimately learning.

Bodily sensations and movements are not secondary to cognitive experiences. They form the basis of how we perceive and interact with our environment. From this perspective, the body plays a central role in shaping our experience of the world. This means that action matters for cognitive performance and learning. Observing others’ actions can improve knowledge. When we observe actions performed by other individuals, our motor system resonates along with the observed person.

The concept of embodied knowledge is a type of knowledge........

© Psychology Today