title: Embodied cognition and skilled health behaviour.
abstract: The present research examines health persuasion from an embodied cognition perspective by proposing that engaging the motor system during presentation of a health message will lead individuals to become more skilled at performing the prescribed behaviour. Participants watched a video on the importance of flossing while either imaging themselves flossing or imaging themselves flossing while minimally engaging the motor system (i.e. touching a piece of floss). Females (but not males) who touched an individual floss while watching the video demonstrated better flossing skills 1 week later. Over time, participants (both males and females) who engaged the motor system also developed more accessible attitudes and had a stronger relationship between their perceived flossing efficacy and actual flossing skill. Implications for the theories of embodied cognition and health interventions are discussed.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA. gangi@psych.ucsb.edu
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Gangi
authors: David K
authors: DK
authors: Sherman
authors: Marina L
authors: ML
authors: White