An empirical investigation of embodiment in the 'Heal' concept

Cognition may not be restricted to the mind. Embodied cognition approaches argue that the body is intertwined in conceptual knowledge. This project aimed to investigate the concept heal from an embodied cognition perspective - in particular its relationship with the bodily experience of looking upwards (i.e., the 'up bodily state'). The project consisted of three studies which found that; 1) linguistically, abstract concepts evoke emotional responses, and 2) that the 'up bodily state' partially facilitates the perception of healing, and decision making about the heal concept. These findings encourage experience-based teaching techniques for abstract concepts and the use of posture to enhance physical and psychological healing.