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Embodied Cognition:

A Literature Review on the

Mitzy Flores University of California, Merced

Key Words: External Mind, , Long Term Memory, Working Memory, Cognitive Science, Behavioral Observation, Memory Retrieval

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Abstract

This literature review is focused on the External Mind Thesis, which lies in the field of Cognitive Science, more specifically under Embodiment Theory. The purpose is to encourage future research on the Extended Mind Theory and elaborate on a few research methods. Literature focusing on the different types of memory processes are essential to successfully approach extended mind research or any other cognitive process. An overview about the behavioral observation method and coding mechanisms are included. Lastly, this review is wrapped up through an example of how this could come into play in a real life External Mind research scenario. Results could potentially change the way people think about and use mechanisms such as pen and paper.

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Introduction

seems like the can remember more. Cognitive science being a young Through the use of tools such as a pen and area of study, offers room for growth. A a piece of paper to jot down mental specific topic that still needs a case study thoughts, memory recall has been for it to go from a theory to a fact is the facilitated. There are people that oppose Extended Mind Theory. This theory falls this view and say that such mediums under Embodied Cognition, which states cannot be considered an external mind that a “body intrinsically constraints, because these mediums are not reliable, regulates, and shapes the nature of mental there is limited accessibility to them, and activity” (Fognia & Wilson, 2013). In they are beyond the skin. Cognitive other words, the mind is shaped by one’s scientists are looking for ways in which to body and environment in which it is in. test the hypothesis that proves that Since embodied cognition believes that humans have become so reliant on the the environment influences the way environment for memory retrieval and people think, it hypothesizes that the cues that removing them would have the availability of certain mediums (e.g. pen same impact as removing a physical brain and paper, phone) has changed the way region affecting memory. Hence, in order the mind handles information. Through to test these hypotheses there are four previous studies, it has been noted that a main areas to first understand: the way human mind is only capable of holding an memory works, how higher order approximate of 4 ± number of objects at a processes are being affected, how time. However, through the use of the behavioral observations are conducted, mediums like the ones listed previously, it and how data should be analyzed. Memory and Processes It is important to understand the way typically hold anywhere from four to seven memory works to see if it is truly being ideas at once; it is information that retained affected by the use of mediums such as only as long as the focus does not shift phones and notebooks. Memory is a result away. Working memory is the activity in of many brain regions working together the brain that is concerned with your and facilitating different pathways such as: immediate circumstances. When exploring long term memory, short-term memory, the possible effects of an extended mind on working memory, and episodic memory. cognition it is important to specifically Long term memory is defined by the article focus on working memory and long-term “Neural Network Model of Memory memory. Memory is a process underlying Retrieval”, as a storage for, “names, facts, cognition such as higher order processing. episodes, and other aspects of our lives and Episodic memory is memory that retains that it is practically unlimited” (Recanatesi facts about the world. On the other hand, et al, 2014). Short term memory can the article entitled, “Defining Higher Order

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Thinking”, offers a definition of higher “once we recognize that the crucial role of order thinking, “that occurs when a person the environment is constraining the takes new information and information evolution and development of cognition, stored in memory and interrelates and/or we see that extended cognition is a core rearranges and extends this information to process, not an add-on extra” (Clark & achieve a purpose or find possible answers Chalmers, 1998). However, in order to in perplexing situations” (Lewis & Smith, prove the extended mind and conduct 1993). This being said, in the article, “The significant research, the approach of Extended Mind”, the authors support the behavioral observations must first be idea of an extended mind and state that clearly understood.

Behavioral Observations

In order to gather information and infer, predict, classify, collect and record meaningful data, a behavioral observation data, interpret data, control variables, and method must take place. The behavioral form hypothesis” (Lewis & Smith, 1993). observation method as stated by the article It is a time-consuming job and that is why titled “Nominal Cross Recurrences” is cognitive scientists at times think about explained as the following, “behavioral this approach as inconvenient. While stream that are measured on a nominal cognitive scientists can observe people for scale that reflects events in a person’s a few hours, they can sometimes observe behavior or experiences during the day or them for months or even years. This is laboratory task” (Dale et al., 2011). In why it is usually left as a last resort simpler words, a scientist follows a method for studies as it is their best specific set of people and records what method to successfully collect data. they observe in reference to the behavior Furthermore, in order for the scientists to that is being studied. Furthermore, in the be able to interpret the data meaningfully article “Defining Higher Order Thinking”, and analyze it, they must go through a the authors see it as integrated process training process coding different types of because scientists, “observe, measure, behaviors.

Analyzing Data and Working with a Team

A coding system is unique to each coding system that is designed to fit experiment just as much as the research focused on toddler’s behavior hypothesis itself. The article during daycare will not work for “Behavioral Observation & Coding”, research focusing on teenage behavior argues that it is not okay to take another during football practice. Furthermore, it studies coding system. For example, a advises researchers to “begin with a set

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of hypotheses and design the coding then get placed with a specific number system around these hypotheses” that would facilitate the coding process. (Bakeman, 2000). If a researcher A functional coding system will allow hypothesizes that “families tend to the researcher to analyze the number of argue more when it is dinner time” his yells, for example, and give meaning to coding system would include collected data, instead of writing many vocabulary terms such as: yell, voice notes throughout. tone, argument, etc. Such terms would

Experiment

researcher must collect a team of The reason why the Extended committed helpers that are willing to be Mind Thesis still remains a thesis is trained to learn the coding system and because there have not been any concrete specific coding programs. An overview of experiments done to prove the power of what behavioral observation method external things to help the mind. That is entails will be essential. Furthermore, as why cognitive scientists wanting to discussed earlier in the essay, behavioral contribute into the field should look into observations method takes a lot of time. designing an experiment that digs deeper The research team must decide whether into memory recall, carry research out by watching professors will be done in designing a coding scheme, and consider person or watched through recorded implementing a behavioral approach. For lecture videos, as suggested by the article example, if someone where interested in “Behavioral Observation and Coding” researching the extended mind by using a (Bakeman, 2000). Next, the team will behavioral observation approach to need to create a coding scheme that fits analyze the way Professors at the the hypothesis. Possible ways could University of California, Merced use include stuttering, hand movements, types presentations as an aid to their memory, of slides used, etc. there would be many factors to consider. Once the coding is done and the data First, the researcher must make a gathered for the first few, they must hypothesis, such as “by using power point decide how many would they need presentations, professors at the University to code in order to prove the of California Merced enhanced their extended mind hypothesis. working memory”. Then, the head

Conclusion Theory, and to encourage cognitive The purpose of this review is to scientists to pursue research on this topic. inform readers about the Extended Mind Further research on the effect of the

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environment on the mind will not only students, professors, and the general help expand the field of cognitive science public to look for other ways in which but could potentially help aid other fields. humans could improve memory recall. Lastly, this potentially encourages

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References

Bakeman, R. (2000). Behavioral observation and coding. Handbook of research methods

in social and personality psychology, 138-159.

Clark, A., & Chalmers, D. (1998). The extended mind. analysis, 7-19.

Dale, R., Warlaumont, A. S., & Richardson, D. C. (2011). Nominal cross recurrence

as a generalized lag sequential analysis for behavioral streams. International

Journal of Bifurcation and Chaos, 21(04), 1153-1161.

Foglia, L., & Wilson, R. A. (2013). Embodied cognition. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews:

Cognitive Science, 4(3), 319-325.

Lewis, A., & Smith, D. (1993). Defining higher order thinking. Theory into practice,

32(3), 131-137.

Recanatesi, S., Katkov, M., Romani, S., & Tsodyks, M. (2014). Neural Network Model of

Memory Retrieval. Frontiers in computational neuroscience, 9, 149-149.