پیامدهای تجسد: شناخت و ارتباط

This edited volume is scientifically based, but readable for a larger audience, covering the concept of "embodied cognition" and its implications from a transdisciplinary angle. The contributions are from the fields of psychology, computer science, biology, philosophy, and psychiatry. First, the roots of embodiment are described with historical, computer-science, and phenomenological viewpoints. It is argued that embodied cognition is relevant for the discussion of intentionality, with a particular focus on underlying neural processes as well as the context of synergetics and self-organization theory. As cognition is socially embedded, a large section of this book concentrates on "embodied communication": How does embodiment influence the way to approach others, what role do body movements play in social interaction, what is the function of nonverbal synchrony in interpersonal relationships and psychotherapy? Embodied cognitive agents are further embedded in particular cultural and environmental contexts. This book thus addresses the active role that cultural and environmental aspects play in driving cognition. Some applications of embodiment, e.g. to psychotherapy and aesthetics are also presented. "This book is about the implications of embodiment, but how is embodiment defined? Is it a theory, a paradigm, a perspective, a methodology, or a scientific field? Seen from the different angles of the chapters in this volume, it may well mean all of the above. Embodiment goes beyond a neurobiological interpretation of cognition. It rests in the much broader idea that the body--including behaviors and properties such as facial expression, movement, prosody, gesture, and posture--influence, and at the same time are influenced, by the mind. Therefore, embodiment research is not restricted to neurobiological methods but includes behavior observation, subjective assessments and engineering approaches as well. Embodiment research involves the complete range of measurements and methods in psychology and biology"--Publisher's description, p. [4] of cover