ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2020, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (3): 486-496.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2020.00486

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Eating behavior from the perspective of embodied cognition: Based on the mental simulation approach

XIONG Suhong1(), SUN Hongjie2, LU Ji3, YAO Qi4, ZHANG Quancheng5   

  1. 1 School of Business Planning, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
    2 Management School, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
    3 Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada
    4 School of Economics and Management, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 4000074, China
    5 Business School, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610101, China
  • Received:2019-04-19 Online:2020-03-15 Published:2020-01-18
  • Contact: Suhong XIONG E-mail:xiong@ctbu.edu.cn

Abstract:

With the development of the embodied cognition theory, studies on eating behavior have led to some novel and interesting findings based on the mental simulation approach. These findings provide a new perspective on solving overeating and obesity problems, as well as on improving food marketing performance. This article mainly focuses on discussing the effects of mental simulation on eating behavior and the factors which influence mental simulation. Based on the extant literature, first, we discuss the effects of mental simulation on eating behavior. Specifically, we conclude that, while on the one hand, mental simulation can promote eating, on the other hand, it may also inhibit eating. Second, we group factors of mental simulation into two major categories and refer to them as ease factors and motivational factors, and we elaborate on each of them. Third, we discuss the important potential applications on healthy eating behavior as well as on food marketing. Finally, future research issues are outlined.

Key words: embodied cognition, mental simulation, eating behavior