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Simulation across representation: The interplay of schemas and simulation-based inference on different levels of abstraction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 June 2020

Malte Schilling Open the ORCID record for Malte Schilling [Opens in a new window] ,
Nancy Chang ,
Katharina J. Rohlfing  and
Michael Spranger
Malte Schilling
Affiliation:
Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc., 3-14-13, Higashigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, 141-0022Tokyo, Japanmichael.spranger@gmail.com Faculty of Technology, Department of Neuroinformatics, Bielefeld University, D-33501Bielefeld, Germanymschilli@techfak.uni-bielefeld.de
Nancy Chang
Affiliation:
Google, Mountain View, CA94043ncchang@google.com
Katharina J. Rohlfing
Affiliation:
Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Paderborn University, Paderborn, Germany. katharina.rohlfing@uni-paderborn.de
Michael Spranger
Affiliation:
Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc., 3-14-13, Higashigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, 141-0022Tokyo, Japanmichael.spranger@gmail.com
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Abstract

Language comprehension of action verbs recruits embodied representations in the brain that are assumed to invoke a mental simulation (e.g., “grasping a peanut”). This extends to abstract concepts, as well (“grasping an idea”). We, therefore, argue that mental simulation works across levels of abstractness and involves higher-level schematic structures that subsume a generic structure of actions and events.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 43 , 2020 , e147
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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