The Feeling of Reality: An Analysis of the Role of Embodied Experiences in Perception
Abstract
The feeling of reality is a concept that has been studied from multiple perspectives. This article examines the role of embodied experiences in perception and how these experiences contribute to the feeling of reality. It reviews the literature on embodied cognition, the impact of embodiment on perceptual processing, and the implications for understanding the feeling of reality. This article concludes that embodied experiences play an important role in the feeling of reality and provide an important avenue for further research.
Introduction
The feeling of reality is a psychological phenomenon that has been studied from multiple perspectives. It is a feeling of being in the present, of being aware of the environment, and of being connected to the world around us (Varela, Thompson, & Rosch, 1993). This feeling is closely related to the concept of presence, which has been defined as a sense of being “here” in the environment (Steuer, 1992). The feeling of reality is important because it allows us to make sense of our environment and to interact with it in meaningful ways.
The concept of embodied cognition suggests that our physical body and the associated sensations play an important role in our perception and understanding of the world (Varela, Thompson, & Rosch, 1993). Embodied experiences, such as the sensations of touch, proprioception, and movement, provide us with information about our environment and allow us to interact with it in meaningful ways. This article will examine the role of embodied experiences in perception and how they contribute to the feeling of reality.
Embodied Cognition
Embodied cognition is a theory that suggests that our physical body and the associated sensations play an important role in our perception and understanding of the world (Varela, Thompson, & Rosch, 1993). According to this theory, our bodies provide us with information about our environment and allow us to interact with it in meaningful ways. This can include the sensations of touch, proprioception, and movement. By engaging with the environment through our bodies, we can gain an understanding of the world around us and form meaningful relationships with it.
The Impact of Embodiment on Perception
The impact of embodiment on perception has been studied extensively. Research suggests that our physical body and the associated sensations play an important role in how we perceive and interpret our environment (Wilson, 2002). Embodied experiences can provide us with information about our environment and can help us make sense of it. For example, our sense of touch can provide us with information about the shape, size, and texture of objects in the environment. Similarly, proprioception can provide us with information about the position and movement of our body in relation to the environment.
In addition, research suggests that our physical body can also influence how we interpret our environment. For example, our posture can influence how we perceive and interact with the environment (Lorimer, 2005). Similarly, our actions can also influence how we perceive and interact with the environment (Wilson, 2002). By engaging with the environment through our bodies, we can gain a better understanding of the world around us.
Implications for Understanding the Feeling of Reality
The research on embodied cognition suggests that our physical body and the associated sensations play an important role in how we perceive and interpret our environment. These embodied experiences provide us with information about our environment and allow us to interact with it in meaningful ways. This information can help us make sense of our environment and can provide us with a feeling of reality.
Conclusion
The feeling of reality is an important psychological phenomenon that has been studied from multiple perspectives. This article has examined the role of embodied experiences in perception and how these experiences contribute to the feeling of reality. The research suggests that our physical body and the associated sensations play an important role in how we perceive and interpret our environment. By engaging with the environment through our bodies, we can gain an understanding of the world around us and form meaningful relationships with it. This can provide us with a feeling of reality.
References
Lorimer, H. (2005). Proprioception and the body schema: Implications for cognition and perception. Cognitive Processing, 6(2), 117-125.
Steuer, J. (1992). Defining virtual reality: Dimensions determining telepresence. Journal of Communication, 42(4), 73-93.
Varela, F., Thompson, E., & Rosch, E. (1993). The embodied mind: Cognitive science and human experience. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Wilson, M. (2002). Six views of embodied cognition. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 9(4), 625-636.