Published: 20171108
Journal: Mental Space Pyschology Society Newsletter8, 8-15
Organization: Mental Space Psychology Society
Author(s): Brian Cullen
Abstract
This article explores goal setting within the framework of embodied cognition and mental space psychology and discusses how a proposed “goal-stepping” process can be used in combination with traditional goal setting techniques in order to exploit the space around our bodies to reduce the cognitive workload. A study of goalsetting in the context of a Japanese university (n=40) is presented and the results indicate that the activity creates significant improvements (p<0.01) in three variables: clarity about the steps involved in setting goals (+37%), level of motivation towards goal (+22%), and belief in the likelihood of achieving the goal (+23%). Participants also indicated strongly (mean=82%) that physically moving in space helped them to identify the required steps towards the goal.