Research interests

 

Framework

The theoretical framework underlying my work is the view according to which cognition is embodied and situated. Basically, the idea is that cognition is embodied,i.e. that it depends from the experience of possessing a body with a specific sensorimotor system. Cognition emerges from goal-derived interactions between the organisms and the environment, and it is deeply influenced by the ecological niche in which the organisms evolved. This view stresses the role of action for cognition, and it considers perception, action and cognition as strictly interrelated.

I approach some of the topics described below using mostly experimental laboratory methods (behavioral and kinematics studies), but also computer simulations (neural networks). In collaboration I also perform EEG, TMS and fMRI studies.

Research interests

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Affordances
Concepts, categorization and action
Motor resonance, automatic imitation, complementarity in action
Language grounding and impact of language on categorization and sense of body
Abstract concepts