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Embodied Cognition
Abstract
Embodied cognition is a recent development in psychology that practitioners often present as a superseding standard cognitive science. In this outstanding introduction, Lawrence Shapiro sets out the central themes and debates surrounding embodied cognition, explaining and assessing the work of many of the key figures in the field, including Lawrence Barsalou, Daniel Casasanto, Andy Clark, Alva Noë, and Michael Spivey. Beginning with an outline of the theoretical and methodological commitments of standard cognitive science, Shapiro then examines philosophical and empirical arguments surrounding the traditional perspective, setting the stage for a detailed examination of the embodied alternative. He introduces topics such as dynamical systems theory, ecological psychology, robotics, and connectionism, before addressing core issues in philosophy of mind such as mental representation and extended cognition. This second edition has been updated and revised throughout and includes new chapters that both expand on earlier topics and that introduce new material on embodied concepts, preference formation, and emotion. Including helpful chapter summaries and annotated further reading at the end of each chapter, Embodied Cognition, Second Edition is essential reading for all students of philosophy of mind, psychology, and cognitive science.
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“Embodied cognition emphasizes how cognitive processes are shaped by the physical body and its sensorimotor interactions with the world (Clark 1999; Shapiro 2019; Varela et al. 1991).”
From The myth of the Bayesian brain (2025) · cites this paper as Shapiro 2019
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Items 401–482 of 482
Darejeh, A., Marcus, N., & Sweller, J. (2022) · L’Année psychologique · doi:10.3917/e.anpsy1.223.0405
Chai, X., Nugraheni, T., Masunah, J., & Sunaryo, A. (2026) · ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts · doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i1.2026.7224 · Cited by 3
“Embodied cognition theory provides a foundational framework for understanding how dance education influences behavior by proposing that cognition is not merely brain-based computation but emerges from the dynamic interaction among body, brain, and environment Shapiro (2019), Wilson (2002).”
Martinod, E. (2019) · doi:10.70675/42a631d4z389ez46e3zb85dz700c5f1c6dbc
Impacts de la fatigue visuelle sur l’apprentissage via serious game en réalité virtuelle
Souchet, A. D. (2020) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/f91891adzfa55z4eb6za629z42d6e542de58 · Cited by 3
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Ducourneau, E. (2020) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/416c7fefze5c9z4459z9312z57b72aa4f448
Understand how and why consumers perceive and react to CSR in an Asian country : the case of Vietnam
Le, T. H. Y. (2021) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/68dffc50zcec6z4eb0z9a63z5b3bb8bcacfd
Romero-Muñoz, E. (2025) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/9d49058bz3ed7z48c5zada9zbcbc7125eefd
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Zhang, Y., & Zhang, J. (2026) · ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts · doi:10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i1.2026.7590
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“The meaning of ‘kick’ is un - derstood in part by simulating the action of kicking (Shapiro, 2019).”
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Levin, S. B. (2026) · Philosophical studies in contemporary culture · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-08566-5_14
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“Bodily experiences gained during physical activity can be utilized to create cognitive schemas that influence the degree of self-regulation and shape an individual’s behavior (Shapiro, 2019).”
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Zhao, Z. (2026) · Postscriptum Polonistyczne · doi:10.31261/ps_p.2026.37.07
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Fu, Y., & Mei, Y. (2026) · Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1007/s11097-026-10158-y
“However, a different view might emerge when we consider those who adhere to the philosophy of embodied cognition (Shapiro, 2019).”
Agentic AI and the Algorithm of Good
Gounaris, A., & Kosteletos, G. (2026) · AI · doi:10.3390/ai7090352
“Shapiro [194] summarises the core claims of Embodied Cognition as follows: (a) bodily properties constrain the concepts an organism can form; (b) interaction with the environment reduces the need for representational thought; and (c) body and world are constituents of cognition, not merely its…”
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Psarri, C. (2026) · Literacy · doi:10.1111/lit.70038
“Embodied cognition asserts that many cognitive processes are rooted in sensorimotor experiences; different entities are first perceived through the senses and then converted into a language of thought, where related ideas are linked and combined into a single concept (Shapiro 2019).”
Embodied Learning in Psychology
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Su, J., & Ye, H. (2026) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs16050735
“With the development of embodied cognition, some scholars have argued that the embodied metaphor theory is less radical than initially assumed and remains compatible with traditional representational computational models (Shapiro, 2019; Drury & Tudor, 2024).”
InfluentialCognition and Intelligence in Natural and Artificial Systems
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Galassi, F., Kassidakis, P., van Houten, M., Jiménez, R. M. R., Fernández-Salido, M., Poikonen, H., Tarousi, M., & Santini, S. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1770820
“…and semi-formal caregivers’ burden and the risk of developing psychological disorders, the scientific community has long discussed the concept of ‘embodied cognition’ and the need to put bodily processes at the center of education, care and mental health (Foglia and Wilson, 2013; Shapiro, 2019).”
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“1) to explore the technical feasibility of combining GenAI with ISS for SS-based interventions, which would allow to enhance SSs with Embodied and Sensory Integration capabilities [16, 17].”
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Chen, Y., & Matsunaka, Y. (2026) · Metaphor and Symbol · doi:10.1080/10926488.2025.2603216
“Such findings can be interpreted as supporting the theory of embodied cognition (Barsalou, 1999; Lakoff, 2012; Shapiro, 2019; Varela et al., 1991).”
Robinig, W., Brünner, B., Burgsteiner, H., & Wallner, J. P. (2026) · European Journal of STEM Education · doi:10.20897/ejsteme/18920
“To bridge the gap between theoretical AI concepts and practical comprehension, the didactic design of the AR mask activity is anchored in a framework of experiential learning and synthesizes Kolb’s experiential learning theory (Kolb, 1976; Kolb et al., 201 4) with principles of Embodied Cognition (Shapiro, 2019; Wilso…”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Shapiro, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Corresponding author
- Shapiro, Lawrence
- Venue
- Routledge eBooks
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Published
- 2019-05-07
- OpenAlex
- W4244539133
- Cited by
- 492
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 123 · 2025: 116 · 2024: 89 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 6
- FWCI
- 20.91
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Routledge eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Embodied and Extended Cognition
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Philosophy and Theoretical Science
- Social Sciences › Linguistics and Language › Language, Metaphor, and Cognition
- Keywords
- embodied cognition, dynamical systems theory, ecological psychology, robotics, connectionism, mental representation, extended cognition, preference formation, emotions, philosophy of mind, Andy Clark, Alva Noë
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