Embodiment and Schizophrenia: A Review of Implications and Applications.
In recent decades, embodiment has become an influential concept in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Embodiment denotes the study of the reciprocal (causal) relationships between mind and body, with the mind not only affecting the body but also vice versa. Embodied cognition comes to the fore in sensorimotor coupling, predictive coding, and nonverbal behavior. Additionally, the embodiment of the mind constitutes the basis of social interaction and communication, as evident in research on nonverbal synchrony and mimicry. These theoretical and empirical developments portend a range of implications for schizophrenia research and treatment. Sensorimotor dysfunctions are closely associated with affective and psychotic psychopathology, leading to altered timing in the processing of stimuli and to disordered appraisals of the environment. Problems of social cognition may be newly viewed as disordered embodied communication. The embodiment perspective suggests novel treatment strategies through psychotherapy and body-oriented interventions, and may ultimately provide biomarkers for diagnosis.
Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, 3060 Bern, Schweiz.
Wolfgang
W
Tschacher
INSERM U1114, FMTS, Departement de Psychiatrie, CHRU de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
Anne
A
Giersch
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
Karl
K
Friston
D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy
Bayesian statistics; mind–body relationship; nonverbal synchrony; predictive coding; psychotherapy; sensorimotor processes