The Situated Action Cycle

In this episode, Wendy speaks with cognitive psychologist Larry Barsalou about his work on grounded cognition, concepts, stress, and habits. Their conversation covers many topics, including:

• a historical look at how psychology has viewed and studied the mind;
• simulation and prediction in the brain;
• what a concept is, and benefits and harms they can bring;
• stereotypes, implicit bias, and how we might change them;
• the "situated action" cycle that drives our behavior;
• understanding habits, and the role of mindfulness in breaking unhealthy habits;
• how humans form self-concepts, and how meditation can help us move beyond them;
• the importance of context (situatedness) in cognition, and how to study it scientifically;
• and how he got interested in contemplative science.

Full show notes and resources