Movement Pattern Analysis is based on the premise that patterns of body movement reflect cognitive processes involved in making decisions. This premise usually is met with skepticism, for at the level of popular consciousness, mind and body are still separate entities.
However, mind and body are no longer being viewed as separate entities in many academic disciplines. “Embodied cognition” – the notion that moving and thinking are intertwined – is gaining traction among philosophers, linguists, developmental specialists, and neuroscientists.
The interconnectedness of thinking, feeling, and moving has long been obvious to movement specialists – at least experientially. The gradual cultural turn that is occurring now validates what we “know in our bones” and takes it to a new level.
For example, developmental specialists have been aware of links between motor and cognitive development in early childhood. Now, however, it is recognized that delays in early motor development can impact later cognitive functioning as well – even when the movement deficits have been overcome.
Support for these observations are coming from neuroscience research that is revising the way the function of the cerebellum has been viewed. In the past, this part of the brain was thought to be “just about movement.” More current perspectives situate the cerebellum as an essential connector linking sensorimotor and cognitive functioning.
Consequently, recent research has put Movement Pattern Analysis on the radar for social scientists. Find out more in the next blogs.