magazine issue 4 2014 / Issue 20

Manipulating the body, measuring the body, and tinkering in the name of Psychology

• written by Thomas Schubert
• edited by Spike Lee

In our own lab, we are already using Arduino hardware to build up experimental devices. Here are three examples: We started by hooking up an Arduino to a computer, connecting it to two buttons, and programming the Arduino in such a way that it could interface with one of the standard software packages used by psychologists. We tested the performance, and results were excellent: Our device was able to measure reaction time as well as professional hardware, with millisecond precision (to learn more, read Schubert, D’Ausilio, & Canto, 2013). We also tested whether an Arduino combined with a device measuring its own angle, a gyroscope, can replace the laborious frame-by-frame coding of head movements by tracking movements, and this works as well (see a short description and videos on our blog). Finally, we were also able to hook up a temperature sensor, giving us a cheap way to measure finger temperature. We also realized that we could not only connect sensors, but also components that do something – lights, small vibrators to apply tactile stimulation to the body, and more. With this interface in place, all the building blocks are there so that experimental psychologists curious enough to measure bodily behaviour can start experimenting.

Conclusion

One implication of the embodiment approach, the topic of this special issue, is that even when we think about abstract concepts, we use representations arising from bodily experiences. Many experiments supporting this idea have been manipulating the body and showing effects on thought. Such experiments are easy to do and often impressive, but they have some weaknesses. Researchers will of course not stop conducting such studies and neither should they – often they provide excellent illustrations of a particular embodiment. However, the reverse experimental direction, namely manipulating thinking and measuring the body, will probably become crucial in future research.

What researchers need are measurement tools. I encourage experimental psychologists to start tinkering with open source hardware, and connect to the maker movement. It is a lot of fun. And I hope the makers and hackers out there who are interested in psychology will welcome them with open arms.

Embodiment research started with a fascinating idea. Its theoretical development has now somewhat stalled. Sometimes, technology does not just follow theoretical developments and needs, but drives it. Maybe this is one of those times.

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