Motor Control & Cognition – A Matter of Constitution?

The relation between motor control and action cognition, such as action-related thoughts and action-related perception, is subject to controversial discussion in cognitive science. A rapidly growing number of studies has provided empirical evidence supporting the hypothesis of such a relation in general terms. However, a closer inspection of the evidence available so far provides a rather blurry picture on how to understand the relevant claim in the first place. As a result, we are confronted with an enormous variety of partly overlapping, partly contradictory, and also incommensurable accounts trying to understand and explain the relation between the two systems, their interdependencies, and the mediating mechanisms. Lacking a clear answer thus far, the following questions are particularly pressing: Are both systems largely identical? Or are they different and only slightly connected, merely taking close advantage of each other?

In order to advance answers to these and related questions, we aim to discuss an understanding of this relation in terms of constitution of action cognition by motor control. Constitution as a conceptual instrument of describing the relation of interest can further be interpreted in a strong or a more moderate way by distinguishing degrees of impact that motor control might have on cognition. By assembling the most influential researchers in this research area, the aim of the workshop is to clarify the interdependency of motor control and cognition.