Extending the Embodied Simulation Hypothesis: Effects of Motor Simulation in the Mind on Memory Retrieval

Abstract

The embodied simulation hypothesis of modality-specific areas activation influencing language processing has matured over time. However, whether the idea can be applied to broader aspects other than language processing, such as memory processing, remains to be investigated. In this study, we extend the embodied simulation hypothesis, looking at the effects of motor simulation in mind, specifically handedness, on long-term memory retrieval. To test our hypothesis, we introduce two lists of Chinese characters as materials for memory and use old/new recognition tasks to measure retrieval performance. Our prediction of the results is that interfering with relevant motor systems (dominant hand) involved in memory encoding during retrieval will impair a person’s ability to recall. If our experimental results support our hypothesis, this not only provides strong evidence for the embodied simulation hypothesis but our research may also be applied to the field of memory, providing potential inspiration for memory enhancement.