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You process sentences faster when they match your physical movement.
The action-sentence compatibility effect demonstrates that manual reaction times are faster when the sentence describes movement in that direction.
Participants responded faster to 'open the drawer' if they had to pull a lever toward themselves. If the sentence was 'close the drawer', their reaction time was faster when pushing the lever away. Your brain simulates the action described in a sentence before you consciously interpret the meaning.
Your mind uses your physical body as a simulator for meaning.
Where this comes from
- Study
- Glenberg and Kaschak, 2002, Psychonomic Bulletin and Review
- What the check found
- The ACE effect is a well-documented finding in cognitive science and Glenberg and Kaschak (2002) is the correct seminal citation for this specific experimental design.
- Confidence
- Solid, with limits
Related
One of these every day, and every one names the study it came from. When a finding is contested, it says so.