Another Example of Embodied Cognition (03-22-10)

We have reviewed many studies of embodied cognition in this blog – here’s another one.  Encasing a description of a negative, emotional situation in a container helps us to “pack away” the associated negative thoughts (Li, Wei, and Soman, in press).  Li and colleagues found that when written reports of negative emotional situations  (such as unsatisfied strong desires or regretted past-decisions) are placed in an envelope, related negative emotions are reduced.  Designers can use this information when working with clients or in their personal lives.

Xiuping Li, Liyuan Wei, and Dilip Soman.  “Physical Enclosure and Psychological Closure.” Psychological Science, in press.