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Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008. 59:617–45 Key Words

First published online as a Review in Advance on cognitive architecture, imagery, representation, simulation,
August 15, 2007
situated action
The Annual Review of Psychology is online at
http://psych.annualreviews.org Abstract
This article’s doi: Grounded cognition rejects traditional views that cognition is com-
10.1146/annurev.psych.59.103006.093639
putation on amodal symbols in a modular system, independent of
Copyright  c 2008 by Annual Reviews. the brain’s modal systems for perception, action, and introspec-
All rights reserved
tion. Instead, grounded cognition proposes that modal simulations,
0066-4308/08/0203-0617$20.00 bodily states, and situated action underlie cognition. Accumulating
behavioral and neural evidence supporting this view is reviewed from
research on perception, memory, knowledge, language, thought, so-
cial cognition, and development. Theories of grounded cognition are
also reviewed, as are origins of the area and common misperceptions
of it. Theoretical, empirical, and methodological issues are raised
whose future treatment is likely to affect the growth and impact of
grounded cognition.

617
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

WHAT IS GROUNDED
Contents COGNITION?
WHAT IS GROUNDED Standard theories of cognition assume that
COGNITION? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 618 knowledge resides in a semantic memory sys-
Origins of Grounded Cognition . . . 619 tem separate from the brain’s modal sys-
Common Misperceptions tems for perception (e.g., vision, audition),
of Grounded Cognition . . . . . . . . 620 action (e.g., movement, proprioception), and
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THEORIES OF GROUNDED introspection (e.g., mental states, affect). Ac-

COGNITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 cording to standard theories, representa-
Cognitive Linguistics Theories . . . . 621 tions in modal systems are transduced into
Theories of Situated Action . . . . . . . 621 amodal symbols that represent knowledge
Cognitive Simulation Theories . . . . 622 about experience in semantic memory. Once
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Social Simulation Theories . . . . . . . 623 this knowledge exists, it supports the spec-
EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE . . . . . . . . . . 623 trum of cognitive processes from perception
Perception and Action . . . . . . . . . . . . 624 to thought.
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625 Conceptions of grounded cognition take
Knowledge and Conceptual many different forms (Gibbs 2006, Wilson
Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 626 2002). In general, however, they reject the
Language Comprehension . . . . . . . . 628 standard view that amodal symbols represent
Thought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629 knowledge in semantic memory. From the
Social Cognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630 perspective of grounded cognition, it is un-
Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631 likely that the brain contains amodal symbols;
THEORETICAL AND if it does, they work together with modal rep-
EMPIRICAL ISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . 631 resentations to create cognition.
Does the Brain Contain Amodal Some accounts of grounded cognition fo-
Symbols? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 631 cus on roles of the body in cognition, based
Does Simulation Implement on widespread findings that bodily states
Classic Symbolic Operations? . . 632 can cause cognitive states and be effects
Are Simulations and Embodiments of them (e.g., Barsalou et al. 2003, Lakoff
Causal or Epiphenomenal? . . . . . 632 & Johnson 1980, Smith 2005b). Most ac-
What Roles Do Statistical counts of grounded cognition, however, fo-
Representations Play? . . . . . . . . . 632 cus on the roles of simulation in cognition
How Is Language Grounded? . . . . . 633 (e.g., Barsalou 1999, Decety & Grèzes 2006,
Does the Brain Contain a Single Goldman 2006). Simulation is the reenact-
Representational System? . . . . . . 633 ment of perceptual, motor, and introspective
How Does the Brain Represent states acquired during experience with the
Abstract Concepts? . . . . . . . . . . . . 634 world, body, and mind. As an experience oc-
Do Mirror Neuron Systems curs (e.g., easing into a chair), the brain cap-
Pervade Social Cognition? . . . . . 634 tures states across the modalities and inte-
METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES . . . . 634 grates them with a multimodal representation
Computational and Formal stored in memory (e.g., how a chair looks and
Theories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 634 feels, the action of sitting, introspections of
Integrating Disciplines and Levels comfort and relaxation). Later, when knowl-
of Explanation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635 edge is needed to represent a category (e.g.,
Grounding Classic Research chair), multimodal representations captured
Paradigms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635 during experiences with its instances are reac-
tivated to simulate how the brain represented

618 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

perception, action, and introspection associ- leaving “cognition” and thereby solving this
ated with it. problem.
According to this account, a diverse col-
lection of simulation mechanisms, sharing a
common representational system, supports Origins of Grounded Cognition
the spectrum of cognitive activities. The pres- Perhaps surprisingly, grounded cognition has
ence of simulation mechanisms across diverse been the dominant view of cognition for
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cognitive processes suggests that simulation most of recorded history. Nearly all prescien-
provides a core form of computation in the tific views of the human mind going to back
brain. Mental imagery constitutes the best to ancient philosophers (e.g., Epicurus 341–
known case of these simulation mechanisms 270 B.C.E./1987) assumed that modal repre-
(e.g., Kosslyn 1980, 1994). Whereas mental sentations and imagery represent knowledge
imagery typically results from deliberate at- (Barsalou 1999, J. Prinz 2002), analogous to
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

tempts to construct conscious representations current simulation views. Even nativists, such
in working memory, other forms of simulation as Kant (1787/1965) and Reid (1785/1969),
often appear to become active automatically frequently discussed modal images in knowl-
and unconsciously outside working memory. edge (among other constructs).
Still other accounts of grounded cogni- In the early twentieth century, behavior-
tion focus on situated action, social inter- ists attacked late nineteenth-century studies of
action, and the environment (e.g., Barsalou introspection, banishing imagery from much
2003, Barsalou et al. 2007a, Glenberg 1997, of psychology for not being sufficiently sci-
W. Prinz 1997, Rizzolatti & Craighero 2004, entific, along with other cognitive constructs
Robbins & Aydede 2007, E. Smith & Semin (Watson 1913). When cognitive constructs
2004, Yeh & Barsalou 2006). From this per- reemerged during the Cognitive Revolution
spective, the cognitive system evolved to of the mid-twentieth century, imagery was not
support action in specific situations, including among them, probably for two reasons. First,
social interaction. These accounts stress inter- the new cognitivists remembered Watson’s at-
actions between perception, action, the body, tacks on imagery and wanted to avoid the same
the environment, and other agents, typically criticisms. Second, they were enthralled with
during goal achievement. new forms of representation inspired by ma-
It is important to note that the phrase jor developments in logic, linguistics, statis-
“embodied cognition” is often used when tics, and computer science. As a result, the-
referring to this collection of literatures. ories of knowledge adopted a wide variety
Problematically, however, “embodied cogni- of amodal representations, including feature
tion” produces the mistaken assumption that lists, semantic networks, and frames (Barsalou
all researchers in this community believe that & Hale 1993).
bodily states are necessary for cognition and When early findings for mental imagery
that these researchers focus exclusively on were reported in the 1960s (for reviews, see
bodily states in their investigations. Clearly, Paivio 1971, Shepard & Cooper 1982), the
however, cognition often proceeds indepen- new cognitivists dismissed and discredited
dently of the body, and many researchers them (e.g., Pylyshyn 1973). Nevertheless, the
address other forms of grounding. “Grounded behavioral and neural evidence for imagery
cognition” reflects the assumption that cog- eventually became so overwhelming that im-
nition is typically grounded in multiple ways, agery is now accepted as a basic cognitive
including simulations, situated action, and, mechanism (Kosslyn et al. 2006).
on occasion, bodily states. Perhaps grounding Most recently, research in grounded cog-
will one day become such a widely accepted nition has challenged theories that origi-
assumption that “grounded” falls away, nated during the Cognitive Revolution on

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 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

numerous grounds (e.g., Barsalou 1999, have a strong genetic basis. Genetic contribu-
Glenberg 1997, Harnad 1990, Lakoff 1987, tions almost certainly shape the modal systems
Searle 1980). First, little empirical evidence and memory systems that capture and im-
supports the presence of amodal symbols plement simulations. Some simulations could
in cognition. Instead, amodal symbols were have a genetic basis.
adopted largely because they provided ele- Grounded theories are often viewed as
gant and powerful formalisms for represent- recording systems that only capture images
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ing knowledge, because they captured impor- (e.g., cameras) and are unable to interpret
tant intuitions about the symbolic character of these images conceptually (e.g., Haugland
cognition, and because they could be imple- 1991, Pylyshyn 1973). As described below,
mented in artificial intelligence. Second, tra- however, grounded theories are capable of
ditional theories have been challenged on the implementing the classic symbolic functions
grounds that they fail to explain how cogni- that underlie conceptual interpretation (e.g.,
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

tion interfaces with perception and action (the Barsalou 1999, 2005a).
grounding problem). Third, traditional theo- Grounded theories are often viewed as
ries increasingly face a lack of understanding only using sensory-motor representations of
about where the brain stores amodal symbols the external world to represent knowledge.
and about how amodal symbols could be con- As a result, it is argued that grounded the-
sistent with neural principles of computation. ories cannot represent abstract concepts not
In place of traditional theories, researchers grounded externally. Importantly, however,
in grounded cognition have turned away from embodiment researchers since the classic
amodal symbols, focusing instead on simu- empiricists have argued that internal states
lation, situated action, and bodily states. In such as meta-cognition and affect constitute
many respects, these researchers have re- sources of knowledge no less important than
discovered the classic philosophical assump- external experience. Recent embodiment the-
tion that modal representations are central to orists propose that knowledge acquired from
knowledge, reinventing this assumption in the introspection is central to the representa-
modern contexts of psychology, cognitive sci- tion of abstract concepts (e.g., Barsalou 1999,
ence, and neuroscience. As a result, grounded Barsalou & Wiemer-Hastings 2005).
theories focus increasingly on neural repre- Finally, grounded theories are often
sentations in the modalities, and less on con- viewed as necessarily depending on bodily
scious imagery. states or full-blown simulations that recreate
experience. Researchers in grounded cogni-
tion make neither assumption. Bodily states
Common Misperceptions are not necessary for cognitive activity, al-
of Grounded Cognition though they can be closely related to it. Al-
Because modern grounded approaches are so though simulation is a central construct, these
new, we are far from having a unified view. researchers agree that simulations rarely, if
Furthermore, the diverse approaches that ex- ever, recreate full experiences. Instead, sim-
ist are not specified computationally or for- ulations are typically partial recreations of ex-
mally. For these reasons, vagueness exists and perience that can contain bias and error (e.g.,
misperceptions follow. Barsalou 1999).
Grounded theories are often viewed as
completely empiricist and therefore inconsis-
tent with nativism. As noted above, however, THEORIES OF GROUNDED
classic nativists assumed that imagery played COGNITION
central roles in knowledge. Indeed, there are All grounded theories represent negative re-
no a priori reasons why simulation cannot actions to standard theories of cognition based

620 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

on amodal symbols. Additionally, grounded paths, spatial relations, processes, and forces
theories contain insights about mechanisms (e.g., Lakoff 1987; Langacker 1987, 1991;
central to cognition that standard theories Talmy 1983, 1988). Cognitive linguists have
have largely ignored, such as simulation, situ- also grounded reasoning in experience (e.g.,
ated action, and bodily states. Although most Fauconnier 1985). Other cognitive linguists
theories have been descriptive, they have nev- have developed grammars that use frames and
ertheless generated testable hypotheses ad- constructions to capture the structure of situa-
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dressed in empirical research. Clearly an im- tions (e.g., Fillmore 1985, A. Goldberg 1995).
portant goal for future theory is to implement All these theories provide rich sources of hy-
and formalize these theories. potheses for scientific research (e.g., Coulson
2001, Kaschak & Glenberg 2000, Kemmerer
2006, Mandler 1992, Tomasello 2003).
Cognitive Linguistics Theories
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Some of the first theories to champion

grounded cognition in modern times arose Theories of Situated Action
in cognitive linguistics. These theories were These theories reflect another reaction to
negative reactions to amodal theories of syn- standard theories of cognition, again rejecting
tax originating in the Cognitive Revolution the idea that cognition revolves around com-
(e.g., Chomsky 1957), and positive champions putation on amodal symbols. Positively, many
for the roles of bodies, situations, and simula- of these theories focus on the central roles of
tions in language. perception and action in cognition.
Lakoff & Johnson (1980, 1999) pro- Following Gibson (1979), theories of sit-
posed that abstract concepts are grounded uated action propose that the environment
metaphorically in embodied and situated plays central roles in shaping cognitive mech-
knowledge (also see Gibbs 1994). Specifically, anisms. Additionally, these theories focus on
these researchers argued that people possess the close coupling of perception and action
extensive knowledge about their bodies (e.g., during goal achievement (e.g., Clark 1997,
eating) and situations (e.g., verticality), and W. Prinz 1997, Thelen & L. Smith 1994,
that abstract concepts draw on this knowl- Steels & Brooks 1995), and increasingly on so-
edge metaphorically. For example, love can cial interaction (e.g., Breazeal 2002). Many of
be understood as eating (“being consumed these theories have originated in robotics. As
by a lover”), and affective experience can a result, they are implemented computation-
be understood as verticality (“happy is up, ally in robots operating in the physical world
sad is down”). Extensive linguistic evidence with other agents. Robotics provides a pow-
across languages shows that people talk ubiq- erful test bed for developing and evaluating
uitously about abstract concepts using con- grounded theories of cognition that attempt
crete metaphors. Such metaphors also arise to explain unified agents, not just component
extensively in literature (e.g., Turner 1996). processes (Barsalou et al. 2007a).
A key issue is whether these metaphors sim- Rather than adopting computational ar-
ply reflect linguistic convention or whether chitectures that manipulate amodal symbols,
they actually represent how people think (e.g., theories of situated action often adopt dy-
Murphy 1997). Increasing evidence suggests namic systems as their architecture. From this
that these metaphors play central roles in perspective, fixed representations do not exist
thought (e.g., Boroditsky & Ramscar 2002, in the brain. Instead, multiple systems imple-
Gibbs 2006). ment perception, action, and cognition, where
Other theories in cognitive linguistics have each system is capable of residing in one of
grounded the syntax and semantics of natural infinitely many continuous states. Over learn-
language in components of experience, such as ing, states of these systems become coupled to

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 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

reflect patterns of interaction with each other simulations that produce perceptual comple-
and with the environment effective in achiev- tion, repetition priming, etc. Working mem-
ing goals (attractors). Such theories have been ory utilizes the same representation system
applied to perception and action (e.g., Van but controls it differently during simulation,
Orden et al. 2005), development (e.g., Thelen using frontal mechanisms to keep a modal
et al. 2001), and cognition (e.g., Spivey 2007). representation active temporarily. Long-term
memory again utilizes the same representa-
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tion system to simulate episodic events but

Cognitive Simulation Theories controls it via medial temporal systems and
Perceptual symbol systems. The attacks different frontal areas. Finally, conceptual
on standard theories from cognitive linguis- knowledge uses the same representational sys-
tics, situated action, dynamic systems, and tem to simulate knowledge but controls it via
elsewhere might suggest that standard theo- association areas in the temporal, parietal, and
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

ries have nothing to offer. To the contrary, frontal lobes. According to PSS, simulation is
Barsalou’s (1999) theory of Perceptual Sym- a unifying computational principle across di-
bol Systems (PSS) argued that traditional verse processes in the brain, taking different
approaches are correct in postulating the im- forms for each. The convergence zone archi-
portance of symbolic operations for inter- tecture proposed by Damasio (1989) and ex-
preting experience (Fodor & Pylyshyn 1988, tended by Simmons & Barsalou (2003) offers
Pylyshyn 1973). Although grounded theo- one way to implement a single representa-
ries are viewed widely as recording systems tion system controlled by multiple simulation
(Haugeland 1991), PSS demonstrated that mechanisms.
grounded theories can implement symbolic Barsalou (2003) integrated PSS with sit-
functions naturally (also see Barsalou 2005a, uated cognition, proposing that simulations
2007). Through the construct of simulators— typically contextualize the categories that they
corresponding roughly to concepts and types represent in background situations, which in-
in standard theories—PSS implements the clude objects, agents, actions, events, and
standard symbolic functions of type-token mental states (also see Yeh & Barsalou 2006).
binding, inference, productivity, recursion, Barsalou et al. (2003) similarly proposed
and propositions. This approach retains the that situated simulations explain embodiment
symbolic functionality of traditional theories effects in social psychology through a pattern-
but implements it differently, using simulation completion inference mechanism.
and dynamic systems. Thus, PSS is a synthetic In humans, the simulation system cen-
approach that integrates traditional theories tral to PSS is closely integrated with the lin-
with grounded theories. guistic system. Paivio (1971, 1986) developed
PSS further assumes that a single, mul- an account of how language and simulation
timodal representation system in the brain interact—Dual Code Theory—and amassed
supports diverse forms of simulation across considerable evidence for it. Glaser (1992) and
different cognitive processes, including high- Barsalou and colleagues (2007b) offered revi-
level perception, implicit memory, working sions of this theory that place deep conceptual
memory, long-term memory, and conceptual processing in the simulation system, not in
knowledge. According to PSS, differences be- the linguistic system. Barsalou (2005b) further
tween these cognitive processes reflect differ- proposed that nonhumans have roughly the
ences in the mechanisms that capture mul- same simulation system as humans but lack a
timodal states and simulate them later. In linguistic system to control it. Barsalou (2007)
high-level perception and implicit memory, proposed that humans’ powerful symbolic ca-
association areas in a modality capture rep- pabilities emerge from interactions between
resentations (e.g., in vision) and later trigger language and simulation.

622 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

Memory theories. Glenberg (1997) argued objects becomes active when perceiving an-
that traditional accounts of memory focus too other agent perform an action to achieve a
much on the passive storage of information goal (Rizzolatti & Craighero 2004). To rec-
and too little on the importance of situated ognize and understand another agent’s action,
action. Glenberg proposed that memory pri- primates simulate the perceived action in their
marily serves to control situated action, and own motor system. Notably, mirror neurons
that the patterns stored in memory reflect within these circuits respond strongest to the
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the nature of bodily actions and their ability goal of the action, not to the action itself.
to mesh with situations during goal pursuit. Thus, mirror circuits help perceivers infer an
Drawing on Gibson (1979), Glenberg sug- actor’s intention, not simply recognize the ac-
gested that the perception of relevant objects tion performed.
triggers affordances for action stored in mem- More generally, social neuroscientists pro-
ory. Conversely, reasoning about future ac- pose that mirror circuits provide a general
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tions relies on remembering affordances while mechanism for understanding diverse men-
suppressing perception of the environment tal states in others (e.g., Decety & Grèzes
(Glenberg et al. 1998). 2006, Gallese et al. 2004, 2007). To under-
Rubin (2006) argued that traditional ac- stand how someone else feels when disgusted,
counts of memory are limited by only we simulate how we feel when disgusted.
attempting to explain simple laboratory From this perspective, simulation provides a
paradigms. When richer forms of memory are general mechanism for establishing empathy.
considered, such as autobiographical mem- Simulation theorists further propose that sim-
ory and oral history, more complex theories ulation supports other important social pro-
are required. Rubin proposed Basic Systems cesses, such as imitation and social coordina-
Theory as an account of complex memory tion. Some simulation theorists propose that
phenomena. Similar to PSS and its situated mirror circuits contributed to the evolution
extensions, Basic Systems Theory proposes of human language (Arbib 2005, Rizzolatti &
that a complex memory contains many mul- Arbib 1998).
timodal components from vision, audition,
action, space, affect, language, etc., and that
retrieving a memory involves simulating its EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
multimodal components together. Conway Surprisingly little research has attempted to
(1990, 2002) similarly stressed the central- test the widely accepted assumption that
ity of multimodal representations in autobi- amodal symbols represent knowledge. In-
ographical memory. deed, hardly any research before the past ten
years attempted to assess directly the for-
mat in which knowledge is represented (e.g.,
Social Simulation Theories amodal symbols, simulation). Furthermore,
Simulation plays increasingly important roles relatively little research assessed other as-
in theories of social cognition (Goldman pects of the grounded view, such as the roles
2006). Of particular interest is explaining how of situations and bodily states in cognition.
we represent the mental states of other people. During the past ten years, however, many
Simulation theories propose that we represent researchers have designed experiments to as-
other people’s minds using simulations of our sess grounded theories explicitly. The results
own minds. To feel someone else’s pain, we of these experiments increasingly suggest that
simulate our own pain. simulations, situations, and bodily states play
Mirror neuron circuits typically underlie central roles in cognition. Because of space
social simulation theories. In primates, a sub- limitations, many important findings are not
set of the neural circuit used to manipulate cited.

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 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

Perception and Action phoneme restoration effect, listeners use au-

ditory knowledge about a word to simulate a
Perceptual inference. The simulation pro-
missing phoneme (e.g., Warren 1970). Samuel
cess central to accounts of grounded cognition
(1997) showed that these simulations utilize
plays ubiquitous roles in perception. During
early auditory systems.
perception, states of perceptual systems be-
come stored in memory (e.g., for vision and
audition). Similar stimuli perceived later trig- Perception-action coordination. As peo-
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ger these memories, simulating the percep- ple perceive visual objects, simulations of po-
tual states they contain. As these simulations tential actions become active in preparation
become active, they produce perceptual in- for situated action. Tucker & Ellis (1998)
ferences that go beyond perceived stimuli in showed that the perceived handle of a cup acti-
useful ways. vates a grasping simulation that inadvertently
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Goldstone (1995) taught people simple as- affects motor responses on an unrelated task.
sociations between a shape (e.g., square) and Tucker & Ellis (2001) showed that viewing
a color (e.g., dark red). Later, when a colored an object grasped with a precision or power
shape was flashed (e.g., a red square), and par- grip (e.g., a grape versus a hammer) produces
ticipants had to reproduce its color, they dis- a simulation of the appropriate action. Symes
torted the color towards the prototypical color et al. (2007) showed that these simulations
associated with the shape seen earlier. Perceiv- are sensitive to whether an object’s orientation
ing the object’s shape activated a simulation makes it easily graspable. Glover et al. (2004)
of its prototypical color, which then distorted showed that the size of an object affects these
perception of the current color. Hansen et al. simulations. Bub et al. (2007) showed that a
(2006) similarly showed that simulations of perceived object (or object name) automat-
an object’s natural color (e.g., yellow for ba- ically triggers simulations of both grasping
nana) distort achromatic perception of the ob- and functional actions. Tucker & Ellis (2004)
ject (e.g., a gray banana) toward the opponent also showed that these simulations occur when
color (e.g., a bluish banana). the name of an object is read (e.g., “grape”).
During the perception of motion, visual Helbig et al. (2006) showed that action sim-
simulations similarly arise that go beyond ulations speed visual recognition of objects
the physical motion present. In motion con- on which these actions are performed. Us-
tinuation, viewers simulate the visual trajec- ing fMRI, Chao & Martin (2000) showed that
tory of an object beyond its actual trajectory, perceived objects activate the brain’s grasping
falsely remembering anticipated motion (e.g., circuit (see Lewis 2006 for a review).
Freyd 1987). Knowledge about whether an Researchers increasingly extend these
object moves quickly or slowly affects the per- original findings in creative ways. In Bosbach
ceived speed of these simulated trajectories et al. (2005), accurately judging the weight
(e.g., Reed & Vinson 1996). During appar- of an object lifted by another agent requires
ent motion, simulations of possible human ac- simulating the lifting action in one’s own mo-
tion similarly shape perception of interpolated tor and somatosensory systems. In Repp &
motion (e.g., Shiffrar & Freyd 1990, 1993). Knoblich (2004), a pianist’s ability to iden-
Stevens et al. (2000) showed that simulations tify auditory recordings of his or her own
in the motor system underlie these inferences. playing depends on simulating the motor ac-
Analogous simulations produce somatosen- tions underlying it. In Pulvermüller et al.
sory anticipations of an object tracing a trajec- (2006), hearing a word activates the articu-
tory over the body (Blankenburg et al. 2006). latory actions associated with producing it. In
Lexical knowledge produces simulations Proffitt (2006), simulations of perceived effort
that contribute to speech perception. In the affect visual perception (but not action-guided

624 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

movement). Being tired from a run makes a simulation of perceptual memories (Roediger
hill look steeper. Carrying a heavy pack makes & McDermott 1993, Schacter et al. 2004).
a path look longer. First, perceptual processing is typically impor-
Motor simulations are also central to basic tant for establishing robust implicit learning,
motor control. As a simple action is per- suggesting that perceptual memories are re-
formed, the motor system constructs a feed- sponsible (e.g., Jacoby 1983). Second, repe-
forward simulation of the action to guide tition priming is strongest when the modali-
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and correct it (e.g., Grush 2004, Wolpert ties of the memory and the perceived stimulus
et al. 1999). These motor simulations also play match, for example, when an auditory mem-
roles in generating visual inferences about ory exists to help process an auditory stim-
the anticipated actions of perceived agents ulus (e.g., Kirsner et al. 1989). Third, repe-
(Wilson & Knoblich 2005). tition priming is strongest when perceptual
details of the memory and perceived stim-
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Perception of space. Rather than being ulus match, such as orientation, size, font,
isotropic, the perception of space is shaped etc. (e.g., Jacoby & Hayman 1987, Jolicoeur
by the body, the body’s relation to the envi- 1985). Fourth, imagining a stimulus produces
ronment, and the body’s potential for action repetition priming similar to actually perceiv-
(Franklin & Tversky 1990). Locating objects ing it, suggesting that shared perceptual rep-
along the vertical axis of the body is easiest be- resentations underlie both (e.g., Roediger &
cause of the body’s perceived asymmetry with Blaxton 1987, Schacter & Graf 1989). For
respect to the ground. Locating objects along all these reasons, the simulation of perceptual
the front-back axis is next easiest because of states appears central to implicit memory.
the potential for action to the front. Locating
objects along the left-right axis is most dif- Explicit memory. Similar to implicit mem-
ficult because environmental and bodily cues ory, conscious memory of previous episodes
are lacking. Longo & Laurenco (2007) found relies heavily on modal representations. Ex-
that people’s perception of near space extends tensive reviews of supporting findings can be
further outward as their arm length increases, found in Paivio (1971, 1986), Conway (1990,
suggesting that individual differences in bod- 2002), and Rubin (2006), who build theories
ies produce individual differences in space of explicit memory from this evidence. In gen-
perception. eral, these theories assume that multimodal
simulations of previous episodes are central to
episodic recollection. Simulation also appears
Memory central to constructing future events based on
Implicit memory. Implicit memory appears memories of past events (Schacter & Addis
closely related to perceptual inference. In 2007).
both, perceptual memories become active and Although particularly strong evidence for
affect perception. As described above, simula- multimodal simulation comes from research
tions during perceptual inference create per- on autobiographical memory, even simple
ceptions that go beyond stimulus information. laboratory experiments demonstrate simula-
In implicit memory, simulations increase per- tion. Consider experiments that manipulate
ceptual fluency and the likelihood that percep- whether words are studied visually or au-
tions are categorized correctly (i.e., repetition ditorally (e.g., Wheeler et al. 2000). When
priming). If, for example, a perceived face ac- retrieval of these words is tested later in a
tivates an implicit memory, the face may be scanner, visual areas become active following
perceived more quickly and accurately. visual study, whereas auditory areas become
Several general findings support the con- active following auditory study. Thus, the
clusion that implicit memory results from the retrieval of a word simulates the modal

www.annualreviews.org • Grounded Cognition 625

 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

operations performed at encoding. Buckner maintain (Pasternak & Greenlee 2005). For
& Wheeler (2001) review many such findings. example, different frontal populations main-
Within a single modality, the distributed tain working memories for motion in differ-
brain states associated with studying different ent directions, for textures of different spatial
kinds of stimuli are simulated later at retrieval. frequency, etc.
Polyn et al. (2005) found that the distributed Research on imagery has further estab-
neural pattern associated with studying faces lished the central role of modal simulation
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later reappeared when remembering them, as in working memory. Considerable behav-

did the patterns for studying locations or ob- ioral evidence indicates that visual imagery in
jects. Kent & Lamberts (2006) similarly found working memory simulates visual processing
that the speed of processing different per- (e.g., Finke 1989, Kosslyn 1980, Shepard &
ceptual dimensions at encoding was linearly Cooper 1982). Neural evidence strongly cor-
related to the speed of processing them at roborates this conclusion (e.g., Kosslyn et al.
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

retrieval. 2000). Analogously, motor imagery simulates

Simulation also provides a natural expla- motor processing (e.g., Grèzes & Decety
nation of various memory effects. Because a 2001, Jeannerod 1995), and auditory imagery
stimulus leaves memories in the modal areas simulates auditory processing (e.g., Halpern
that encoded it, greater activation in modal et al. 2004).
areas occurs when remembering something When action is relevant to visual imagery,
that actually occurred than when falsely re- the motor system becomes engaged, consis-
membering something that did not (Slotnick tent with theories of situated action. For ex-
& Schacter 2004). Remembering a stimu- ample, when visual rotation of a body part is
lus specifically produces greater activation in imagined, bodily constraints shape the rota-
modal areas than remembering it generally tional trajectory (e.g., Parsons 1987a,b). Sim-
(Garoff et al. 2005). Simulating a scene at en- ilarly, mental rotation of visual objects is ac-
coding that extends the boundary of a studied companied by motor simulations of making
picture produces reconstructive error later at them turn (e.g., Richter et al. 2000).
retrieval (e.g., Intraub et al. 1998). Reinstat-
ing actions at retrieval performed earlier dur-
ing encoding facilitates memory (Ross et al. Knowledge and Conceptual
2007). Processing
Although simulation in working memory has
Working memory. Neuroscience research been accepted for many years, simulation
with nonhumans established the distributed as the basis of knowledge representation is
neural circuits that store an absent stimulus still considered a radical proposal. Neverthe-
in working memory (e.g., Levy & Goldman- less, considerable evidence now demonstrates
Rakic 2000). To maintain a working memory, the presence of simulation during conceptual
neurons in the frontal lobes maintain a simula- processing.
tion of the absent stimulus in the modal system
that processed it originally. More specifi- Behavioral evidence. Researchers have used
cally, different regions of frontal cortex main- the property verification task to assess
tain working memories for different types whether conceptual processing utilizes simu-
of modal content. For example, some re- lation. On each trial, the word for a category is
gions maintain working memories of objects, presented (e.g., HORSE) followed by a word
whereas others maintain working memories for a property that is either true or false of the
of spatial locations. Even more specifically, category (e.g., mane versus horns). According
different populations of frontal neurons are to standard theories, participants assess rela-
highly selective for the specific features they tions between amodal symbols for concepts

626 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

and properties to verify properties. Accord- ing areas can produce deficits in color knowl-
ing to grounded views, participants simulate edge (e.g., Miceli et al. 2001), and damage to
the concept and the property and then assess spatial processing areas can produce deficits
whether the simulated property can be found in location knowledge (e.g., Levine et al.
in the simulated concept. 1985). Additional research demonstrates that
Consistent with the simulation view, other mechanisms beside modal representa-
Solomon & Barsalou (2004) found that per- tions contribute to category-specific deficits
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ceptual variables such as size best predicted (e.g., Caramazza & Shelton 1998, Cree &
verification times and errors. As properties McRae 2003, Simmons & Barsalou 2003,
became larger, verifying them became more Tyler et al. 2000).
difficult, consistent with the finding that veri-
fying properties perceptually becomes more Neuroimaging evidence. Neuroimaging
difficult as properties become larger (cf. research further confirms that simulation
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

Morrison & Tversky 1997). Solomon & plays a central role in conceptual processing
Barsalou (2001) similarly found that prop- (Martin 2001, 2007). When conceptual
erty representations contain detailed percep- knowledge about objects is represented,
tual information, difficult to verbalize, sug- brain areas that represent their properties
gesting that participants simulated properties during perception and action become active.
to verify them. Borghi et al. (2004) found that In particular, brain areas that represent the
the positions of properties in space are simu- shape and color of objects (fusiform gyrus),
lated during their verification. the motion they exhibit (middle and superior
If participants simulate properties to verify temporal lobe), and the actions that agents
them, then having to switch from one modal- perform on them (premotor and parietal
ity to another while simulating properties areas) become active to represent these prop-
should incur a switching cost, analogous to the erties conceptually. When people perform the
cost of switching attention from one modality property verification task described above,
to another in perception (e.g., Spence et al. modal areas for the properties tested become
2000). Pecher at al. (2003, 2004) found sup- active, including brain areas for shape, color,
port for this hypothesis, as did Marques (2006) size, sound, taste, action, and touch (e.g.,
and Vermeulen et al. (2007). R. Goldberg et al. 2006, Kan et al. 2003,
Kellenbach et al. 2001, Simmons et al. 2007).
Lesion evidence. Neuropsychologists have Further evidence comes from different
reported that lesions in a particular modal- profiles of multimodal activation for different
ity increase the likelihood of losing cate- categories. When people process animals
gories that rely on it for processing a cate- conceptually, visual areas are especially active;
gory (e.g., Cree & McRae 2003, Damasio & when people process artifacts, motor areas
Damasio 1994, Gainotti 2006, Gainotti et al. become active (e.g., Kiefer 2005; Martin
1995, Humphreys & Forde 2001, Simmons 2001, 2007; Thompson-Schill 2003). Simi-
& Barsalou 2003, Warrington & McCarthy larly, when people process foods conceptually,
1987, Warrington & Shallice 1984). For ex- gustatory areas become active (e.g., Simmons
ample, damage to visual areas increases the et al. 2005). When people process things that
likelihood of losing animals because visual smell, olfactory areas become active (e.g.,
processing is often the dominant modal- Gonzalez et al. 2006). Additionally, the prop-
ity for interacting with this category. Con- erty areas just noted are often segregated by
versely, damage to motor areas increases the category (Martin 2007). Within the motion
likelihood of losing the tools category, be- processing system, for example, distinct areas
cause motor processing is often the dominant represent motion conceptually for animals
modality. Similarly, damage to color process- versus artifacts.

www.annualreviews.org • Grounded Cognition 627

 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

Language Comprehension ing effects, consistent with the simulation

view.
Situation models. Although the presence of
In another line of research, participants
modal representations in such a high-level
maintained irrelevant information in work-
cognitive task as comprehension might seem
ing memory while processing sentences about
implausible, supporting evidence has existed
scenes (Fincher-Kiefer 2001, Fincher-Kiefer
for decades. Early work on comprehension
& D’Agostino 2004). Drawing predictive spa-
inferences strongly suggested the presence
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tial inferences about the described scenes

of spatial representations (e.g., Bransford &
was worse when working memory contained
Johnson 1973). Bower & Morrow (1990)
interfering visual information than when it
found that people represent text meaning with
contained noninterfering verbal information,
situation models that have spatial properties
suggesting that readers represented the texts
(also see Glenberg et al. 1987, Rinck & Bower
with simulations.
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

2004). Other research has shown that read-

ers take spatial perspectives on scenes de-
Motor simulation. Many researchers have
scribed in texts (e.g., Black et al. 1979, Spivey
demonstrated the presence of motor simula-
et al. 2000). Intraub & Hoffman (1992) found
tions in comprehension. Across several lines
that readers confused pictures with texts, sug-
of research, Pulvermüller (2005) found that
gesting that readers simulated text meaning.
when participants simply read the word for
Gernsbacher et al. (1990) found that individ-
an action, the motor system becomes active
ual abilities for comprehending events visu-
to represent its meaning. More specifically,
ally versus verbally were highly correlated,
verbs for head, arm, and leg actions pro-
suggesting that modal representations under-
duce head, arm, and leg simulations in the
lie both. Potter et al. (1986) showed that re-
respective areas of the motor system. These
placing words with pictures did not disrupt
simulations become active quickly, within a
sentence processing, suggesting that the pic-
few hundred milliseconds, as illustrated by
tures were integrated effortlessly into modal
magnetoencepholography (MEG). These
representations of sentence meaning (also see
simulations also play causal roles in lexical
Glaser 1992).
processing, given that transcranial magnetic
stimulation (TMS) over the relevant motor
Perceptual simulation. More recently, re- areas affects behavioral performance (e.g.,
searchers have addressed the role of per- Buccino et al. 2005, Pulvermüller et al.
ceptual simulation in representing texts. In 2005). Myung et al. (2006) similarly showed
much research reviewed by Zwaan & Madden that motor simulations triggered by words
(2005), participants read a sentence and then produce priming across lexical decision trials.
processed a picture that either matched or Many other researchers have assessed
mismatched something implied but not stated whether physical actions affect comprehen-
literally. For example, participants read “The sion. Klatzky et al. (1989) showed that prim-
ranger saw the eagle in the sky” and then ing a motor action affected the time to judge
named a subsequent picture of an eagle ei- the sensibility of a simple phrase describing
ther with its wings outstretched or folded. an action. Similarly, comprehension is facil-
If readers constructed simulations to rep- itated when the action to make a response
resent sentences, these simulations should is consistent with text meaning (Glenberg &
have contained implicit perceptual informa- Kaschak 2003) and also when the action to
tion such as object shape. Consistent with this control text presentation is consistent (Zwaan
prediction, participants were faster to name & Taylor 2006). When reading about a sport,
the eagle with outstretched wings. Many ex- such as hockey, experts produce motor simula-
periments have demonstrated these match- tions absent in novices (Holt & Beilock 2006).

628 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

Other research shows that participants Gesture. Another important form of em-
simulate motion through space as they read bodiment in language is the gesture that
texts. Richardson et al. (2003) found that read- spontaneously accompanies speech (McNeill
ers simulate horizontal and vertical paths im- 2005). Producing gestures helps speakers re-
plied by both concrete and abstract verbs (e.g., trieve words whose meanings are related to
push versus lift, argue versus respect). Matlock the gestures (e.g., Krauss 1998). Speakers also
(2004) found that implied fictive motion (e.g., produce gestures to help listeners compre-
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the road runs through the valley) produces hend what they say (e.g., Alibali et al. 2001,
corresponding simulations of motion through Kelly 2001, Valenzeno et al. 2003). In child
space. Richardson & Matlock (2007) found development, gesture can convey an emerg-
that these simulations produce related eye ing conceptualization that cannot yet be artic-
movements. Meier & Robinson (2004) found ulated in speech (e.g., Goldin-Meadow 2003).
that reading positively valenced words ori- Kelly et al. (2002) integrate gesture with
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

ents attention up, whereas reading nega- grounded theories of language.

tively valenced words orients attention down.
Schubert (2005) similarly found that reading
words associated with high versus low power Thought
orients attention up versus down, respectively. Physical reasoning. Much work shows that
Meier & Robinson (2006) found that depres- simulations play central roles in reasoning
sion increases downward orientation. about physical situations (Hegarty 2004).
When people view a static configuration of
Affective simulation. Researchers have also gears, for example, they use simulation to in-
shown that people simulate affective states fer the direction in which a particular gear will
during comprehension. When people read turn. People similarly use simulation to draw
taboo words and reprimands, affective reac- inferences about how a configuration of pul-
tions, as measured by skin conductance, are leys will work or when water will spill from a
stronger when read in a first language than in a tipped glass.
second language acquired at a later age (Harris Numerous sources of evidence support the
et al. 2003). Because greater affect is associ- use of simulation in these tasks. The time to
ated with these expressions at younger ages, draw an inference is often correlated with the
native language speakers continue to simulate duration of a physical event, such as how long
these affective responses when reading them a gear takes to turn (e.g., Schwartz & Black
as adults. 1996). Drawing inferences often produces as-
A reader’s affective state interacts with the sociated gestures (e.g., Hegarty et al. 2005).
affective content of a text. In Havas et al. Carrying out associated actions can improve
(2007), participants’ faces were configured inference (e.g., Schwartz 1999). When work-
discretely into states associated with partic- ing memory is filled with visuospatial infor-
ular emotions prior to judging the sensi- mation, inferences suffer compared with when
bility of sentences that contained emotional working memory is filled with verbal infor-
content. When facial emotion matched sen- mation (e.g., Sims & Hegarty 1997). Individ-
tence emotion, comprehension was better ual differences in spatial ability correlate with
than when they mismatched. Embodied states the ability to draw inferences (e.g., Hegarty
of the face triggered emotional states, which in & Steinhoff 1997). Hegarty (2004) concludes
turn interacted with sentence comprehension. that spatial simulation, not visual imagery,
Barrett (2006) suggests that affective simula- plays the central role in reasoning about phys-
tion underlies the conceptualization of emo- ical situations. Furthermore, the simulations
tion that occurs in comprehension and other that underlie this reasoning appear piecemeal
processes. and sketchy, not holistic and detailed.

www.annualreviews.org • Grounded Cognition 629

 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

Abstract reasoning. Abstract forms of rea- sociated mental states. For example, engaging
soning have not received as much atten- the smiling musculature produces positive af-
tion as physical reasoning. Although Johnson- fect (e.g., Strack et al. 1988), whereas slump-
Laird’s (1983) mental model theory could be ing produces negative affect (e.g., Stepper &
made compatible with grounded views, the Strack 1993). Actions produce similar out-
mental models in his theory typically con- comes. Nodding one’s head produces posi-
tain amodal symbols, not simulations. Much tive affect (e.g., Wells & Petty 1980), whereas
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circumstantial evidence, however, suggests pushing away with the arms produces negative
that simulation plays central roles in ab- affect (e.g., Cacioppo et al. 1993).
stract reasoning. For example, philosophers Barsalou et al. (2003) proposed that
of science observe frequently that scientific these embodiment effects reflect a pattern-
and mathematical discoveries typically arise completion inference mechanism that sup-
from simulation (e.g., Barwise & Etchemendy ports situated action. According to this view,
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

1991, Hadamard 1949, Nersessian 1999). representations of familiar situations that

Widespread content effects in reasoning sim- contain embodiments become established in
ilarly implicate simulations and situations in memory (e.g., receiving a gift, feeling posi-
abstract reasoning (e.g., Cheng & Holyoak tive affect, and smiling). When part of this
1985). situation occurs (e.g., receiving a gift), it
Further evidence that abstract reasoning activates the remainder of the situational
is grounded comes from research inspired pattern, producing associated embodiments
by metaphor theory. When people reason (e.g., smiling). Similarly, if smiling is en-
about the abstract concept of time, they gaged, it activates representations of situa-
use space metaphorically to draw inferences tions that contain it, producing associated
(e.g., Boroditsky 2000, Boroditsky & Ramscar pattern components (e.g., positive affect, gen-
2002). For example, when people hear, “Next erosity). E. Smith & Semin (2004) review
Wednesday’s meeting has been moved for- much further evidence that situated action or-
ward two days,” their inference about whether ganizes social cognition. Barsalou et al. (2005)
the new meeting day is Monday or Friday de- examine embodiment in religious cognition.
pends on their current spatial trajectory. Sim-
ilarly, how people conceptualize time reflects Social mirroring. Accumulating evidence
whether their language describes space hori- implicates simulation in many social processes
zontally or vertically (Boroditsky 2001). (Decety & Grèzes 2006, Gallese et al. 2004,
Goldman 2006, Iacoboni 2007, Rizzolatti &
Craighero 2004). In general, mirror circuits
Social Cognition appear to underlie these simulations, estab-
Embodiment effects. Social psychologists lishing empathy between perceivers and per-
have reported embodiment effects for decades ceived actors. Using mirror circuits, per-
(Barsalou et al. 2003, Niedenthal et al. 2005). ceivers infer the goals of others (e.g., Kohler
Bodily states can be effects of social cognition. et al. 2002) and infer their affective states, such
For example, activating the elderly stereotype as pain and disgust (e.g., Jackson et al. 2005,
causes people to walk slowly and to perform Wicker et al. 2003). Mirror circuits underlie a
lexical decision slowly (e.g., Dijksterhuis & variety of other social activities, including im-
Bargh 2001). Similarly, seeing an in-group itation (e.g., Iacoboni et al. 1999) and social
member engages the smiling musculature coordination (e.g., Sebanz et al. 2006).
(e.g., Vanman et al. 1997). In general, a mirror circuit does not pro-
Bodily states are not simply effects of so- vide a complete account of a social activity but
cial cognition; they also cause it. When a facial contributes to a larger system. For example,
expression or posture is adopted, it elicits as- additional brain areas beyond mirror circuits

630 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

prevent perceivers from confusing someone ing a category influence the visual features
else’s mental state with their own (Decety & abstracted into its representation (L. Smith
Grèzes 2006). In imitation, simulating how 2005a). Similarly, the actions performed on
the imitation of an action will look and feel objects during play later cause children to
is also important (Iacoboni et al. 1999). Joint place the objects in spatial clusters that reflect
attention and timing are also central in social shared categories (Namy et al. 1997). In gen-
coordination (Sebanz et al. 2006). eral, extensive amounts of learning occur be-
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Individual differences in simulation ability tween perception, action, and cognition as de-
produce individual differences in social cog- velopment progresses (e.g., Greco et al. 1990,
nition. For example, individual differences in Rochat & Striano 1999).
the ability to simulate other people’s mental
states, such as pain, correlate with rated em-
pathy (e.g., Jackson et al. 2005). Individual THEORETICAL AND
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

differences in expertise, such as ballet, corre- EMPIRICAL ISSUES

late with the ability to mirror relevant action Grounded cognition in its modern form is
(Calvo-Merino et al. 2005). sufficiently new and controversial that many
issues surround it. A sample of these issues
follows.
Development
Newborn infants imitate the facial expressions
and bodily movements of adults, simulating Does the Brain Contain Amodal
the actions that they see physically (Meltzoff Symbols?
& Moore 1983). As infants grow older, they Researchers who once denied that the modal-
understand the perceived actions of others in ities had anything to do with cognition now
terms of what they have come to understand acknowledge their potential relevance. The
about their own actions and intentions empirical evidence that the modalities have
(Meltzoff 2007). Once infants experience the something to do with cognition has become
occluding effects of a blindfold, for example, compelling. Nevertheless, most researchers
they understand that an adult wearing a in cognitive psychology and cognitive science
blindfold cannot see. Thus, mirroring plays are not ready to completely abandon tradi-
a central role in development, as infants tional theories. One widely held view is that
use simulations of their own experience to simulations in the modalities play peripheral
understand the goals and actions of others. roles in cognition, while classic operations on
Researchers increasingly demonstrate that amodal symbols still play the central roles.
development depends critically on bodily It will be important for future research to
states (e.g., L. Smith 2005b) and situated ac- assess this mixed view. Can empirical evidence
tion (e.g., L. Smith & Gasser 2005). For exam- be found for the amodal symbols still believed
ple, L. Smith et al. (1999) showed that the de- by many to lie at the heart of cognition? As
velopment of object permanence is not simply mentioned above, surprisingly few attempts
a cognitive achievement (as long believed) but have been made to establish empirical sup-
also a grounded one. Specifically, motor per- port for amodal symbols. If amodal symbols
severation plays a major role in tasks that mea- are to remain central in cognitive theories,
sure object permanence. Longo & Bertenthal empirical support is necessary. It will not be
(2006) similarly showed that motor simula- enough to rely on the fact that theories built
tions contribute to perseveration. from amodal symbols can mimic cognitive
Other developmental tasks also exhibit abilities. It will also be important to demon-
strong dependence on action. For example, strate that computation on amodal sym-
the motor actions performed while learn- bols constitutes the underlying mechanism.

www.annualreviews.org • Grounded Cognition 631

 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

Furthermore, modal symbols must be local- ing (e.g., Buccino et al. 2005, Pulvermüller
ized in the brain, and neural principles for et al. 2005). If simulations in motor areas are
processing them explained. epiphenomenal, then modulating brain activ-
ity in these areas should have no effect on
the causal sequence of processes underlying
Does Simulation Implement Classic language, but it does. Similarly, experimen-
Symbolic Operations? tally manipulated bodily states, assigned ran-
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Conversely, can simulation mechanisms be domly to participants, produce extensive ef-

shown to be more than merely peripheral fects throughout social cognition (Barsalou
to cognition? Can simulation implement et al. 2003), situated action (e.g., Tucker &
the core cognitive functions that many Ellis 1998, 2001, 2004), and linguistic pro-
researchers still believe require amodal cessing (e.g., Glenberg & Kaschak 2003). If
symbols? As described above, grounded these bodily states are epiphenomenal, they
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

theories, such as PSS and cognitive linguistics should have no effect on the causal sequence of
grammars, have illustrated how simulation processes underlying behavioral performance,
mechanisms can implement, in principle, core but again they do.
cognitive functions, including type-token Conversely, it is essential for proponents
binding, inference, productivity, recursion, of amodal views to demonstrate that amodal
and propositions. The existence of these symbols play causal roles in cognition (as-
operations in the cognitive system is not in suming that evidence for their existence in
question. How the brain actually implements the brain can be found). Consider neuroimag-
them is. Amodal formalisms for symbolic op- ing studies that find activations in modal ar-
erations may provide a theoretical shorthand eas during conceptual processing (e.g., Martin
for expressing what the brain computes, but 2007). If these activations are epiphenome-
simulation, or something else, may be the nal, then it is essential to identify alterna-
mechanism that actually implements these tive amodal brain areas that play the causal
operations. role in producing conceptual performance.
Clearly, computational implementations Interestingly, many of these studies fail to
are required to demonstrate convincingly that find significant activations outside modal ar-
simulation can implement symbolic opera- eas, suggesting that amodal processes do not
tions. Empirical evidence will be required to contribute to conceptual processing, and that
support these accounts. If future research suc- the active modal areas observed play the
ceeds in these projects, the viability of amodal causal roles, given that they are the only areas
symbols as plausible cognitive constructs may active.
increasingly come into question. Assessing the causal roles of simulations
and embodiments clearly requires much fur-
ther research. Nevertheless, significant ev-
Are Simulations and Embodiments idence exists already that they are not
Causal or Epiphenomenal? epiphenomenal.
Proponents of amodal views often suggest that
amodal symbols play the central causal roles in
cognitive computation, with simulations and What Roles Do Statistical
embodiments simply being epiphenomenal. Representations Play?
Establishing whether simulations and embod- Research inspired by neural networks and
iments play causal roles is indeed an important Bayesian statistics has clearly shown that the
issue. Considerable evidence exists already, brain is exquisitely sensitive to the statistical
however, that they do. For example, TMS structure of experience. Interestingly, these
over motor areas affects linguistic process- two approaches often (but not always) assume

632 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

that statistical processing occurs in a modular ambiguity resolution during syntactic analy-
system separate from the brain’s modal sys- sis (e.g., Trueswell 1996). Similarly, statistical
tems, much like traditional symbolic theo- distributions of argument structures and their
ries. In other words, these approaches have instantiations contribute to sentence process-
remained relatively ungrounded. ing (e.g., McRae et al. 2005).
By no means is this necessary. To the Finally, grounding is also central to com-
contrary, statistical processing is central to prehension, as we saw earlier. As people com-
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grounded cognition, as illustrated by dynamic prehend a text, they construct simulations to

systems approaches. Similarly, theories such represent its perceptual, motor, and affective
as PSS assume that neural networks underlie content. Simulations appear central to the
the convergence zone architecture that im- representation of meaning.
plements simulation. Furthermore, Bayesian Thus, language use is a domain where
statistics can be viewed as statistical accounts the study of symbolic operations, statistical
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

of the multimodal information stored in the processing, and grounding can be integrated.
dynamic systems that generate simulations Numerous issues challenge the integration
and guide situated action. Depending on the of these perspectives. Do amodal symbols
particular distribution of multimodal content or simulation mechanisms implement the
captured for a category, the Bayesian statis- symbolic operations that underlie linguistic
tics describing it will vary, as will the simula- processing? As sentences are processed
tions and situated actions generated from it. incrementally, are simulations constructed
Bayesian theories provide a powerful tool for incrementally to reflect the semantic con-
describing the content and behavior of these tribution of each incoming word? Does the
systems. compositional structure of syntax correspond
to the compositional structure of simulations?
Do language statistics affect the specific sim-
How Is Language Grounded? ulations constructed during comprehension?
Language provides an excellent domain in Do cognitive linguistics grammars offer useful
which to combine symbolic operations, sta- frameworks for integrating symbolic opera-
tistical processing, and grounding. Symbolic tions, statistical processing, and grounding?
operations are clearly central to linguistic pro-
cessing. Thematic roles of verbs are bound
to values (e.g., binding the instrument role Does the Brain Contain a Single
for “eat” to spoon). Open-class words for Representational System?
nouns, modifiers, and verbs, and adverbs com- As described above, some simulation theories
bine productively to form novel phrasal and propose that a single multimodal represen-
sentential structures (e.g., combining differ- tation system underlies diverse cognitive
ent color modifiers with different object head processes, including top-down perception,
nouns to form noun phrases such as red hair, implicit memory, working memory, explicit
blond hair, and red wine). Phrasal structures memory, and conceptual knowledge. Ac-
embed recursively (e.g., “The dog the cat cording to this view, simulation is a unifying
chased howled”). Propositions extracted from computational principle throughout the
linguistic utterances represent meaning be- brain, with different control systems oper-
yond surface structure [e.g., extracting chase ating on a shared representational system
(cat, dog) from either “The cat chased the to produce different forms of simulation in
dog” or the “The dog was chased by the cat”]. different processes.
Statistical processing is also central to lan- Is this proposal correct? If so, what is
guage use. Much research shows that statisti- the nature of the shared representational
cal distributions of word senses contribute to system? Within a given modality, is the

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 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

representational system organized hierarchi- textualizes it. Barsalou & Wiemer-Hastings

cally, as appears to be the case in the visual and (2005) report evidence for extensive situa-
motor systems? If so, do some processes access tional content in abstract concepts.
these hierarchical representations at higher or Because the scientific study of concepts has
lower levels than others? For example, explicit primarily focused so far on concrete concepts,
memory, conceptual processing, and language we actually know remarkably little about ab-
might tend to access high-level representa- stract concepts, even from the perspective of
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tions, whereas top-down perception, implicit traditional cognitive theories. Nevertheless,

memory, and working memory might tend abstract concepts appear to play central roles
to access lower-level representations. Another throughout human cognition, especially in
central issue concerns the different control meta-cognition, social interaction, education,
mechanisms for different processes. Where industry, and social institutions. Regardless of
are they located in the brain, and why do they whether simulations of introspections and sit-
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

reside in these particular locations? How do uations underlie the representation of abstract
differences between them implement differ- concepts, much more effort should be devoted
ent processes? to understanding them.

How Does the Brain Represent Do Mirror Neuron Systems Pervade

Abstract Concepts? Social Cognition?
Abstract concepts pose a classic challenge for Much excitement surrounds the discovery
grounded cognition. How can theories that of mirror neuron systems. As described
focus on modal simulations explain concepts above, social simulation theories propose that
that do not appear modal? This concern of- these systems underlie many important so-
ten reflects the misperception described above cial phenomena. One central issue is assess-
that conceptual content in grounded theories ing whether mirror systems do indeed play
can only come from perception of the external all these roles, and perhaps others. If so, then
world. Because people perceive internal states, why do humans exhibit such different so-
however, conceptual content can come from cial abilities than nonhuman primates who
internal sources as well. Preliminary evidence also have mirror systems? What other sys-
suggests that introspective information is in- tems contribute to these differences? Also, to
deed central to the representation of abstract what extent do compromised mirror systems
concepts (e.g., Barsalou & Wiemer-Hastings underlie psychopathologies associated with a
2005, Wiemer-Hastings et al. 2001). Such lack of intersubjectivity, such as autism and
findings suggest that we need to learn much schizophrenia (e.g., Gallese 2003)?
more about how people perceive and concep-
tualize internal states. Notably, people simu-
late internal states similar to how they sim- METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES
ulate external states (e.g., Havas et al. 2007, Besides addressing theoretical and empirical
Niedenthal et al. 2005). Thus, simulations of issues, grounded cognition must address vari-
internal states could provide much of the con- ous methodological issues. Future growth and
ceptual content central to abstract concepts impact of this area is likely to depend on ad-
(Barsalou 1999). dressing these issues successfully.
Abstract concepts also appear to depend
heavily on situations and situated action
(Schwanenflugel 1991). Processing an ab- Computational and Formal Theories
stract concept by itself is difficult but becomes Grounded cognition suffers from an obvi-
much easier when a background situation con- ous lack of well-specified theories. Often

634 Barsalou
 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

experiments simply attempt to demonstrate low from future research. Similarly, grounded
the presence of modal processing in higher cognition has also shown potential to in-
cognition. Given the widespread skepticism tegrate cognitive, social, and developmental
about grounded cognition ten years ago, processes. Research in all three fields has
demonstration experiments made sense. Now increasingly incorporated simulation, situa-
that modal processing in higher cognition is tions, and bodily states as important con-
becoming well documented, it is time to de- structs. Thus, further integration of these
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velop computational accounts of grounded areas seems like another natural outcome of
theories, along with experiments that test research in grounded cognition. As described
them. Transitioning from demonstration ex- above, robotics offers considerable potential
periments to analytic experiments is a nat- for accomplishing this integration (Barsalou
ural trajectory in science, and it will un- et al. 2007a).
doubtedly occur in grounded cognition. This
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

trajectory is also likely to include increasing

attempts to build computational implemen- Grounding Classic Research
tations, followed by formal accounts of the Paradigms
principles underlying them. For examples of It is unlikely that grounded cognition will be
initial attempts to implement grounded the- fully accepted until classic research paradigms
ories, see Cangelosi et al. (2000), Cangelosi can be understood within its framework. In
& Riga (2006), Garagnani et al. (2007), cognitive psychology, for example, how would
Wennekers et al. (2006), and Goldreich a classic paradigm such as recognition mem-
(2007). ory be understood as grounded? Similarly,
how might the construct of a production in
a production system be understood?
Integrating Disciplines and Levels One possibility is that many empirical re-
of Explanation sults and their interpretations would remain
One strength of grounded cognition is its nat- roughly the same within the framework of
ural fit with the brain. Because grounded cog- ground cognition. Analogous to how symbolic
nition rests on the modalities, knowledge of operations can be retained in grounded views
how the brain implements the modalities in- but be realized differently, well-established
forms grounded cognition. Furthermore, as- empirical results and explanations may often
sessing neural activity in the modalities pro- retain much of their original form. One fo-
vides a natural way to test predictions of cus of change is likely to be at the represen-
grounded theories. Clearly, however, much tational level. In recognition memory, for ex-
greater integration of cognitive and neural ample, rather than assuming that a vector of
mechanisms must occur than the relatively amodal symbols represents a learning episode,
simple mappings established so far. Neverthe- its representational elements could instead be
less, the grounded approach appears to have mapped into a multimodal state. At higher
unusual potential for integrating cognition theoretical levels, much of the original theory
with the brain. might remain. Similarly, in production sys-
Grounded cognition has significant poten- tems, rather than viewing the condition and
tial to integrate other research areas as well. action sides of a production as amodal sym-
For example, a core principle of grounded bols, the condition could be represented as
cognition is that cognition shares mechanisms the state of a perceptual modality, and the ac-
with perception, action, and introspection. tion could be represented as a state of the
Increasingly specified accounts of how cog- motor system. From the grounded perspec-
nition, perception, action, and introspection tive, a production is simply an association be-
interact during situated action are likely to fol- tween a perception and an action. Above the

www.annualreviews.org • Grounded Cognition 635

 ANRV331-PS59-23 ARI 5 November 2007 11:20

representational level, the remaining struc- it is unlikely that it will be accepted fully.
ture of a production system might again re- Thus, another major goal for the grounded
main largely intact. cognition community is to illustrate how
Clearly, the reinvention of classic classic paradigms can be made compatible
paradigms requires careful theoretical and with grounding, and perhaps how grounding
empirical assessment. Until grounding is can take understandings of these paradigms
integrated with classic paradigms, however, to new levels.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by National Science Foundation Grant BCS-0212134 and by DARPA
contract BICA FA8650-05-C-7256 to Lawrence Barsalou.
Annu. Rev. Psychol. 2008.59:617-645. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org

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Annual Review of

Contents Psychology

Volume 59, 2008

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Prefatory
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The Evolution of a Cognitive Psychologist: A Journey from Simple

Behaviors to Complex Mental Acts
Gordon H. Bower p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p1

Pharmacology and Behavior

Addiction and the Brain Antireward System
George F. Koob and Michel Le Moal p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p 29

Consummatory Behavior
The Brain, Appetite, and Obesity
Hans-Rudolf Berthoud and Christopher Morrison p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p 55

Sex
Neuroendocrine Regulation of Feminine Sexual Behavior: Lessons
from Rodent Models and Thoughts About Humans
Jeffrey D. Blaustein p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p 93

Audition and Its Biological Bases

The Biological Basis of Audition
Gregg H. Recanzone and Mitchell L. Sutter p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p119

Color Perception

Color in Complex Scenes

Steven K. Shevell and Frederick A.A. Kingdom p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p143

Scene Perception, Event Perception, or Object Recognition

Visual Perception and the Statistical Properties of Natural Scenes

Wilson S. Geisler p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p167

v
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Cognitive Processes
The Mind and Brain of Short-Term Memory
John Jonides, Richard L. Lewis, Derek Evan Nee, Cindy A. Lustig,
Marc G. Berman, and Katherine Sledge Moore p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p193

Memory
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Relativity of Remembering: Why the Laws of Memory Vanished

Henry L. Roediger, III p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p225

Reasoning and Problem Solving

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Dual-Processing Accounts of Reasoning, Judgment,

and Social Cognition
Jonathan St. B.T. Evans p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p255

Comparative Psychology, Ethology, and Evolution

Putting the Altruism Back into Altruism: The Evolution of Empathy
Frans B.M. de Waal p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p279

Anxiety Disorders
Social Bonds and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Anthony Charuvastra and Marylène Cloitre p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p301

Inference, Person Perception, Attribution

Spontaneous Inferences, Implicit Impressions, and Implicit Theories
James S. Uleman, S. Adil Saribay, and Celia M. Gonzalez p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p329

Social Development, Social Personality, Social Motivation, Social Emotion

Motives of the Human Animal: Comprehending, Managing, and
Sharing Inner States
E. Tory Higgins and Thane S. Pittman p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p361

Cognition in Organizations
Cognition in Organizations
Gerard P. Hodgkinson and Mark P. Healey p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p387

Selection and Placement

Personnel Selection
Paul R. Sackett and Filip Lievens p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p419

vi Contents
 AR331-FM ARI 15 November 2007 15:19

Education of Special Populations

The Education of Dyslexic Children from Childhood to Young Adulthood

Sally E. Shaywitz, Robin Morris, and Bennett A. Shaywitz p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p451

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Health Psychology: The Search for Pathways Between Behavior
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and Health
Howard Leventhal, John Weinman, Elaine A. Leventhal, and L. Alison Phillips p p p p477

Emotion
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Human Abilities: Emotional Intelligence

John D. Mayer, Richard D. Roberts, and Sigal G. Barsade p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p507

Data Analysis
Sample Size Planning for Statistical Power and Accuracy
in Parameter Estimation
Scott E. Maxwell, Ken Kelley, and Joseph R. Rausch p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p537

Timely Topics
A Comprehensive Review of the Placebo Effect: Recent Advances
and Current Thought
Donald D. Price, Damien G. Finniss, and Fabrizio Benedetti p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p565
Children’s Social Competence in Cultural Context
Xinyin Chen and Doran C. French p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p591
Grounded Cognition
Lawrence W. Barsalou p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p617
Neuroeconomics
George Loewenstein, Scott Rick, and Jonathan D. Cohen p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p647

Indexes

Cumulative Index of Contributing Authors, Volumes 49–59 p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p673

Cumulative Index of Chapter Titles, Volumes 49–59 p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p678

Errata

An online log of corrections to Annual Review of Psychology articles may be found at

http://psych.annualreviews.org/errata.shtml

Contents vii