Is a difficult task literally heavy?
Weight biases difficulty judgements
The conceptualization of abstract concepts is very often metaphorical, meaning that we think and talk about abstract concepts in terms of other, usually more concrete experiences. Recent research suggests that many abstract concepts are linked to bodily sensations. In two experiments, we tested a hypothesis about weight as an embodiment of difficulty. We hypothesized that participants wearing a heavy backpack would judge a psychomotor task to be more difficult than participants wearing an empty backpack. We also hypothesized that manipulation of psychomotor task difficulty would affect judgement of backpack heaviness. In line with our hypothesis, the results demonstrated that participants wearing a heavy backpack judged the task to be more difficult. The results of Experiment 2 demonstrated that, regardless of task difficulty, there was no difference in weight judgement when backpack weight was estimated on a 7-point scale. However, we found a difference in the judgement of backpack weight when participants were asked to express it in kilograms, where weight was judged to be lower by participants doing the easy task than by those doing the difficult task.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 1.1Connection between bodily experience of weight and cognitive or emotional states
- 1.2Assumptions
- 2.Experiment 1
- 2.1Method
- 2.1.1Participants
- 2.1.2Design and procedure
- 2.2Results
- 3.Experiment 2
- 3.1Method
- 3.1.1Participants
- 3.1.2Design and procedure
- 3.2Results
- 4.Discussion
- 5.Conclusions
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
-
References
References (51)
Ackerman, J. M., Nocera, C. C., & Bargh, J. A.
(
2010)
Incidental haptic sensations influence social judgments and decisions.
Science, 3281, 1712–1715.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Alban, M. W., & Kelley, C. M.
(
2013)
Embodiment meets metamemory: Weight as a cue for metacognitive judgments.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 391, 1628–1634.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Barsalou, L. W.
(
1999)
Perceptual symbol systems.
Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 221, 577–660.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Barsalou, L. W.
(
2008)
Grounded cognition.
Annual Review of Psychology, 591, 617–645.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Boroditsky, L.
(
2000)
Metaphoric structuring: Understanding time through spatial metaphors.
Cognition, 751, 1–28.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Bowdle, B. F., & Gentner, D.
(
2005)
The career of metaphor.
Psychological Review, 1121, 193–216.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cacioppo, J. T., Priester, J. R., & Berntson, G. G.
(
1993)
Rudimentary determinants of attitudes. II: Arm flexion and extension have differential effects on attitudes.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 651, 5–17.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Casasanto, D., & Boroditsky, L.
(
2008)
Time in the mind: Using space to think about time.
Cognition, 1061, 579–593.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Casasanto, D., & Gijssels, T.
(
2015)
What makes a metaphor an embodied metaphor? Linguistics Vanguard, 11, 327–337.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cohen, J.
(
1992)
A power primer.
Psychological Bulletin, 1121, 155–159.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Dancygier, B., & Sweetser, E.
(
2014)
Figurative language. Cambridge textbooks in linguistics. New York: Cambridge University Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Despot, K., Tonković, M., Brdar, M., Essert, M., Perak, B., Ostroški Anić, A., Nahod, B., & Pandžić, I.
(
2019)
MetaNet.HR: Croatian metaphor repository. In
Bolognesi, M.,
Brdar, M. &
Despot, K. (Eds.),
Metaphor and metonymy in the digital age: Theory and methods for building figurative language repositories. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Durgin, F. H., Baird, J. A., Greenburg, M., Russell, R., Shaughnessy, K., & Waymouth, S.
(
2009)
Who is being deceived? The experimental demands of wearing a backpack.
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 161, 964–969.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Fauconnier, G.
(
1985)
Mental spaces: Aspects of meaning construction in natural language. New York: Cambridge University Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gentner, D., & Grudin, J.
(
1985)
The evolution of mental metaphors in psychology: A 90-year retrospective.
American Psychologist, 401, 181–192.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gibbs, R. W., Jr.
(
1984)
The poetics of mind. New York: Cambridge University Press.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gibbs, R. W., Jr.
(
2006)
Embodiment and cognitive science. New York: Cambridge University Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gibbs, R. W., Jr.
(
2017)
Metaphor wars: Conceptual metaphors in human life. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Grady, J.
(
1997)
Foundations of meaning. Doctoral thesis, UC Berkeley.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Harmon-Jones, E., Gable, P. A., & Price, T. F.
(
2011)
Leaning embodies desire: Evidence that leaning forward increases relative left frontal cortical activation to appetitive stimuli.
Biological Psychology, 871, 1–313.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
IJzerman, H., & Semin, G. R.
(
2009)
The thermometer of social relations: Mapping social proximity on temperature.
Psychological Science, 201, 1214–1220.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Johnson, C.
(
1997)
Constructional grounding. Doctoral thesis, UC Berkeley.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Jostmann, N. B., Lakens, D., & Schubert, T. W.
(
2009)
Weight as an embodiment of importance.
Psychological Science, 201, 1169–1174.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kouchaki, M., Gino, F. & Jami, A.
(
2014)
The burden of guilt: Heavy backpacks, light snacks, and enhanced morality.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1431, 414–424.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M.
(
1980)
Metaphors we live by. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M.
(
1999)
Philosophy in the flesh. Chicago, IL: Basic Books.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lakoff, G.
(
2008)
The neural theory of metaphor. In
R. W. Gibbs, Jr. (Ed.),
The Cambridge handbook of metaphor and thought (pp. 17–39). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Landau, M. J., Meier, B. P., & Keefer, L. A.
(
2010)
A metaphor-enriched social cognition.
Psychological Bulletin, 1361, 1045–1067.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, S. W. S., & Schwarz, N.
(
2012)
Bidirectionality, mediation, and moderation of metaphorical effects: The embodiment of social suspicion and fishy smells.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1031, 737–749.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, S. W. S., & Schwarz, N.
(
2014)
Metaphors in judgment and decision making. In
M. J. Landau,
M. D. Robinson, &
B. P. Meier (Eds.),
The power of metaphor: Examining its influence on social life (pp. 85–108). Washington, DC: APA.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Libkuman, T. M., Otani, H., Kern, R., Viger, S. G., & Novak, N.
(
2007)
Multidimensional normative ratings for the International Affective Picture System.
Behavior Research Methods, 391, 326–334.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lynott, D., Corker, K. S., Wortman, J., Connell, L., Donnellan, M. B., Lucas, R. E., & O’Brien, K.
(
2014)
Replication of “Experiencing physical warmth promotes interpersonal warmth” by Williams and Bargh (2008).
Social Psychology, 451, 216–222.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Meier, B. P., Hauser, D. J., Robinson, M. D., Friesen, C. K., & Schjeldahl, K.
(
2007)
What’s ‘‘up’’ with God? Vertical space as a representation of the divine.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 931, 699–710.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Meier, B. P., & Robinson, M. D.
(
2004)
Why the sunny side is up: Associations between affect and vertical position.
Psychological Science, 151, 243–247.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Meier, B. P., Robinson, M. D., Crawford, L. E., & Ahlvers, W. J.
(
2007)
When ‘light’ and ‘dark’ thoughts become light and dark responses: Affect biases brightness judgments.
Emotion, 71, 366–376.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Meier, B. P., Schnall, S., Schwarz, N., & Bargh, J.
(
2012)
Embodiment in social psychology.
Topics in Cognitive Science, 41, 705–716.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Pollio, H. R., Smith, M. K., & Pollio, M. R.
(
1990)
Figurative language and cognitive psychology.
Language and Cognitive Processes, 51, 141–167.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Psychology Software Tools, Inc. [E-Prime 2.0]
(
2012) Retrieved from
[URL]
Schnall, S., Benton, J., & Harvey, S.
(
2008)
With a clean conscience: Cleanliness reduces the severity of moral judgments.
Psychological Science, 191, 1219–1222.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Schneider, I. K., Parzuchowski, M., Wojciszke, B., Schwarz, N. & Koole, S. L.
(
2015)
Weighty data: Importance information influences estimated weight of digital information storage devices.
Frontiers in Psychology, 51, 1536.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Schneider, I. K., Rutjens, B. T., Jostmann, N. B. & Lakens, D.
(
2011)
Weighty matters: Importance literally feels heavy.
Social Psychological and Personality Science, 21, 474–478.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Schubert, T. W.
(
2005)
Your highness: Vertical positions as perceptual symbols of power.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 891, 1–21.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Slepian, M. L., & Ambady, N.
(
2014)
Simulating sensorimotor metaphors: Novel metaphors influence sensory judgments.
Cognition, 1301, 309–314.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Slepian, M. L., Masicampo, E. J., Toosi, N. R., & Ambady, N.
(
2012)
The physical burdens of secrecy.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1411, 619–624.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Spapé, M. M. & Serrien, D. J.
(
2010)
Interregional synchrony of visuomotor tracking: Perturbation effects and individual differences.
Behavioural Brain Research, 2131, 313–318.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Szymkow, A., Chandler, J., IJzerman, H., Parzuchowski, M., & Wojciszke, B.
(
2013)
Warmer hearts, warmer rooms. How positive communal traits increase estimates of ambient temperature.
Social Psychology, 441, 167–176.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ungerer, F., & Schmid, H. J.
(
1996)
An introduction to cognitive linguistics. London/New York: Longman.
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Williams, L. E., & Bargh, J. A.
(
2008a)
Experiencing physical warmth influences interpersonal warmth.
Science, 3221, 606–607.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Williams, L. E., & Bargh, J. A.
(
2008b)
Keeping one’s distance: The influence of spatial distance cues on affect and evaluation.
Psychological Science, 191, 302–308.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Zhong, C. B., & Leonardelli, G. J.
(
2008)
Cold and lonely: Does social exclusion literally feel cold? Psychological Science, 191, 838–842.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Zhong, C. B., & Liljenquist, K.
(
2006)
Washing away your sins: Threatened morality and physical cleansing.
Science, 3131, 1451–1452.
![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Cited by (1)
Cited by 1 other publications
Clay, Georgia, Carmen Dumitrescu, Janina Habenicht, Isabel Kmiecik, Marzia Musetti & Irena Domachowska
2022.
Who Is Satisfied With Effort?.
European Journal of Psychological Assessment 38:6
► pp. 452 ff.
![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 5 july 2024. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers.
Any errors therein should be reported to them.