A grounded cognition approach to desire and motivated behaviour

How does desire develop in the cognitive system, and can we use these insights to tame unwanted desires, and to promote healthy and sustainable behaviour?

Dr Esther Papies will address these questions from the perspective of grounded and embodied cognition.  The grounded cognition theory of desire suggests that desire arises when an internal or external cue triggers a simulation of an earlier, rewarding consumption experience.

Dr Papies will review studies supporting this account, using behavioural, social media, physiological, and neuro-imaging data. We find that food and drink cues (e.g., images, words) trigger spontaneous consumption and reward simulations (e.g., thoughts of eating and enjoying the food), that these are enhanced by situational cues (e.g., congruent background situations), and that these simulations predict desire, salivation, and intake.

Finally, Dr Papies will address implications for interventions, including mindfulness, and strategies to increase consumer uptake of plant-based foods.